ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta is hopeful three of his key players will be fit to face Saints tomorrow (2pm).

The table-topping Gunners head to St Mary's, looking to continue their best-ever start to a Premier League season.

Arsenal have won nine of their opening 10 matches, as well as notching a perfect record so far in their Europa League campaign.

They head to face a Saints side who have shown some signs of life, unbeaten in two following last weekend's draw against West Ham and the midweek victory over Bournemouth.

And Arteta is hopeful the imperious Gunners will be able to call upon to the services of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

England international Saka has scored four goals in his last four games and played 85 minutes of Thursday night's 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven, before being replaced after picking up a knock.

"I think he’s fine," said Arteta.

"I think he was struggling a bit at the end (against PSV), but hopefully he will be fine for Sunday."

Martinelli has been another of Arsenal's shining lights this term, and came off the bench for the final 14 minutes in midweek.

"He had a tough week," explained Arteta.

"He wasn’t feeling great during the week, but towards the day before the game, he was already feeling better and that’s why we decided to play him a little bit."

Meanwhile, former Manchester City ace Zinchenko has not featured since the victory in the north London derby against Tottenham on October 1 due to a calf injury.

Asked for an update on the Ukraine international's fitness, Arteta said: "I think he’s close (to returning).

"He’s getting better and better and he’s progressing really well.

"He had a setback on the injury that he had at the start of the season, which is a shame, but knowing Alex, he will be back very soon."

Pushed on if Zinchenko will be available this weekend, Arteta said: "I can’t tell you. He’s always in contention."

Arsenal are still without injured midfield duo Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Elneny.

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