Arsenal's Mikel Arteta expects Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli back in April

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expects that wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will be fit to return from injury for their match against Fulham on April 1.

This, following a disappointing run in the Premier League title race where their underperforming attack cost them valuable points on Wednesday.

Saka and Martinelli are still recovering from hamstring injuries, while forward duo Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Arsenal's makeshift attack failed to make a significant impact during their surprising 1-0 home defeat to West Ham on Saturday, and they were held to a goalless draw by third-placed Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

Arteta mentioned that even if Saka and Martinelli are available for Arsenal's first match after the international break, both players will require careful monitoring.

"I think so, but let's see how they progress in the next few weeks to ensure we take the right steps," he told reporters.

"They've been out for quite some time, so we'll need to gradually reintegrate them. They're progressing well, but they're not quite there yet."

"We have a meeting tomorrow to evaluate their progress, especially Gabi, who may return before Bukayo, but we'll need to assess how things are evolving over the next week to 10 days."

Despite the draw against Forest, Arsenal remain in second place but are now 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool.

Arteta's focus will now shift to PSV Eindhoven for the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday, and he faces the challenge of addressing his team's goal-scoring struggles quickly.

"We have a couple of days to consider all our options before the PSV match, especially against a team that defends deep," Arteta added.

READ MORE: Bayern Munich set to storm Stuttgart in Bundesliga showdown