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Arsenal travel to Southampton this weekend looking to reach the FA Cup semi-final after defeat to Man City in the Carabao Cup last time out
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal endured a nightmare international break with several key players returning to the club early after picking up injuries while representing their nations.
The Gunners were already without a number of important players ahead of the break, with the likes of Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber ruled out.
Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final before heading on international duty, with the two aforementioned stars missing that game.
Arteta has given a positive injury update on the duo and says they could return to the squad this weekend. The Gunners boss said: "Those are in contention to possibly be in the squad."
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Mikel Merino and Ebereche Ezi also sat out of the Wembley showpiece and aren't expected to return to action this weekend.
"Ebz is out," Arteta said. "With Ebz I cannot put a finger (on a timeframe) there because I don’t know, because he’s a special character."
Leandro Trossard turned down a call up from Belgium to allow a hip injury to settle down after the cup final, while Willian Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes also stayed at the club instead of jetting off to represent their respective country.
Noni Madueke picked up a knock on international duty and was sent back to the Gunners, while Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were also sent home from international duty early.
Piero Hincapie also went off injured while playing for Ecuador, though Arteta admitted he doesn't know the extent of his injury just yet.
As for Southampton, Brazilian star Leo Scienza returned to training after sitting out of the Saints' last three Championship games with a groin injury.
Jack Stephens picked up a knock during the club's open training session at St. Mary's on Monday and is in contention to return this weekend.
"He [Scienza] has put a lot of work into that international break because he's desperate to come back," Saints boss Tonda Eckert told the Daily Echo.
"He was on the pitch today with the boys, and he's looking positive. Stephens is getting better day by day. There was a little bit of swelling in his ankle, but he’s getting better every day."
The Championship side will also be without Flynn Downes, who is suspended after being booked in the win over Fulham in the previous round.
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