BREAKING NEWS :  Martinelli injury update, Saka return boost, Title twist – Dream Arsenal outcome from Dubai camp

Latest Arsenal news with Mikel Arteta needing a number of things to go his way while the Gunners are in Dubai

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will want both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka back from injury sooner rather than later

Title twist

Six points currently separate Arsenal and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table, but that gap could increase to nine in just five days. That is because the Reds face Everton in the rescheduled Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday, February 12.

Arne Slot’s side will, of course, be favourites, but Everton have drastically improved since the return of David Moyes, with three wins picked up from their last four games. The Toffees also have a great record in recent seasons against Liverpool on their own patch.

While it is unlikely, there is a chance Liverpool do drop points and even a draw could give the Gunners a major lift heading into their game against Leicester and beyond. Following that game against the Foxes, further optimism could arrive with Liverpool set to play their gameweek 29 game away at Aston Villa a few weeks early.

The worst-case scenario would be the gap at the summit being stretched to 12 points, but the dream outcome would be Arsenal having a game in hand and being just three points off Liverpool before they face Man City at Etihad Stadium.

Saka return boost

For Arsenal to even have a chance of going deep into the Champions League knockout stages and continuing to keep pace with Liverpool at the top, Arteta will need Saka back.

The Gunners winger has missed the last six weeks with a hamstring injury and is expected to remain out until March at the earliest, though Arteta has stressed he is unsure when he could be back. Despite the fact he won’t be able to train, Saka has travelled out to Dubai with the rest of the Arsenal squad.

Arteta will be desperately hoping a change of surroundings can speed up his recovery progress before returning to the grass back at London Colney and then featuring in partial return team training following that.

Martinelli update

Gabriel Martinelli to miss about 6 weeks with hamstring injury suffered vs Newcastle.

Games He’ll likely miss

❌ Leicester City

❌ West Ham

❌ Nottingham Forest

❌ Manchester United

❌ Chelsea FC

❌ Champions League last-16

Alongside Saka and Gabriel Jesus, another Arsenal attacker will miss a significant period. Early into the defeat at Newcastle, Gabriel Martinelli pulled up feeling his hamstring and was swiftly replaced by Ethan Nwaneri as a result.