Mikel Arteta provides fresh update on Saka and Martinelli

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli ahead of the Premier League clash at Nottingham Forest.

The Gunners have dropped 11 points behind Liverpool for the top spot and they must beat Forest tomorrow to stay in the title hunt.

Ahead of the game, Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are progressing well from their respective injuries.

However, the duo are still far off from returning to the playing field.

He said: "Bukayo and Gabi are progressing really well but are still a bit far from coming back."

The Gunners are without a specialist striker at the moment. Arteta could persist with midfielder Mikel Merino in the position tomorrow.

Merino scored a fantastic late brace in the win over Leicester City, but he was hardly involved against West Ham United last weekend.

The manager will be hoping that the Spaniard can turn up and be more clinical in front of goal against Nuno Espirito Santo's side.