Mikel Arteta is in need of additional firepower and could be granted that against Fulham and Everton.

Arsenal could welcome back forward Gabriel Martinelli for upcoming Premier League fixtures against Fulham and Everton after the international break in a much needed goalscoring boost for the Gunners.

The 23-year-old picked up a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle United in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final last month. Martinelli was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri just before half time and hasn’t returned to action since.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had provided an update on Martinelli - and fellow injured winger Bukayo Saka - last week but was hesitant to put an exact time frame on either return. The Spaniard said: "I think so [if they may play after the break], but again let's see how they evolve in the next few weeks to make the right steps.

"After that, they've been out for a long, long time, so we're going to have to integrate them as well gradually. They are evolving well but they're still a bit far. We have a meeting tomorrow to discuss where they are, especially Gabi, who probably has a chance before Bukayo to come in, but how soon that is, we'll have to see how it evolves in the next week or 10 days."

Gabriel Martinelli close to injury return

There may be reason for Arsenal fans to be excited over Martinelli’s return after Dorival Júnior named the player in his provisional squad for Brazil’s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Argentina and Colombia. That evidence points to the player being fit before the end of the international break and makes a return against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium increasingly likely.

The Gunners host the Cottagers on April 1 before then travelling to Goodison Park to take on Everton just a few days later on April 5. The return of Martinelli, who has 48 goals for the club, comes at a time when Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain ruled out.

Arsenal failed to score against Nottingham Forest last time out in a 0-0 defeat and also didn’t hit the back in the 1-0 loss to West Ham prior to that. Martinelli has three goals and an assist in his outings against Everton and had also scored against Fulham in the past.

The winger is joined by fellow Premier League stars Alisson, Ederson, Murillo, Andre, Andreas Pereira, Bruno Guimaraes, Joao Gomes, Joelinton, Lucas Paqueta, Matheus Cunha, Joao Pedro and Savinho in the Brazil national squad. Arsenal teammate Gabriel is also included.

Brazil national squad confirmed

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City), Hugo Souza (Corinthians Lucas Perri (Lyon), Weverton (Palmeiras)

Defenders: Dodô (Fiorentina), Abner (Lyon), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Alex Telles (Botafogo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Arana (Atlético-MG), Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley (Flamengo), Alexsandro (Lille), Beraldo (PSG), Danilo (Flamengo), Fabrício Bruno (Cruzeiro), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Leo Ortiz (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Murillo (Nottingham Forest)

Midfielders: Alisson (São Paulo), André (Wolverhampton), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Éderson (Atalanta), Gerson (Flamengo), João Gomes (Wolverhampton), Joelinton (Newcastle), Lucas São (Paulo), Paquetá (West Ham), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Neymar (Santos), Oscar (São Paulo)

Forwards: Antony (Real Betis), Bruno Henrique (Flamengo), Endrick (Real Madrid), Estêvão (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Galeno (Al Ahli), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Igor Paixão (Feyenoord), João Pedro (Brighton), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Samuel Lino (Atlético de Madrid), Savinho (Manchester City), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Yuri Alberto (Corinthians)

In other news, a former Arsenal, Fulham and West Ham is in contention for a newly vacant EFL job.