Arsenal: Arsene Wenger hopes to have Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla back within 3 to 4 weeks

Arsene Wenger has not ruled out Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere returning in time for the second leg of Arsenal's Champions League showdown with Barcelona on 16 March.

The Gunners have been without Spain international Cazorla since December 2015 after he was forced to undergo knee ligament surgery. Wilshere, meanwhile, has not played at all this season, having undergone ankle surgery back in August.

Arsenal remain in all three competitions and face a critical run of fixtures, starting with a clash with Premier League leaders Leicester City on 14 February. Clashes home and away with Barcelona also await and Wenger could have his midfield options considerably boosted in time for their visit to the Nou Camp.

"It is positive impact because the belief is there," Wenger said of his recovering squad at a press conference ahead of the visit of Leicester. "We have a bigger chance. We have many games, we are still in the FA Cup and massive games against Barcelona and to have everyone available will be great. Cazorla and Wilshere I don't count on them in the next three to four weeks but everyone else is ready."

Danny Welbeck is also closing in on his return to action, having not played since April 2015. The former Manchester United forward returned to training in January and Wenger said it will only be a matter of time before he rediscovers some match sharpness.

"Welbeck has done very well, he very close. Fitness wise he is there, he just needs to get competition ready," the Arsenal manager said, before adding the England international will be in his squad for the FA Cup clash with Hull City on 20 February if he doesn't make the squad for Leicester."

Arsenal have no fresh injury problems ahead of the Leicester clash at the Emirates, with Wenger having the same squad from the comfortable win over Bournemouth to choose from.