Arsenal head into the weekend with momentum building after an impressive Champions League victory over Lille, but Mikel Arteta still has a few selection headaches to contend with ahead of Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners came from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 in the Premier League before producing a second-half burst to see off Lille 3-0 at the Emirates. With another domestic test approaching and Bayern Munich looming in Europe next week, Arteta will be keen to keep his squad fresh without sacrificing the consistency that has made Arsenal such a strong force early in the campaign.
The biggest positive from Tuesday night’s win was the impact of Bukayo Saka, who came off the bench to score and provide an assist in a devastating six-minute spell.
Saka had been dealing with a minor illness, which explained his absence from the starting XI against Lille. However, he is expected to return to the starting line-up against Forest, providing Arsenal with a significant attacking boost.
His ability to change a game in an instant was once again on display in midweek. With Saka back in contention from the start, Arsenal will hope to carry that attacking threat into a potentially tricky afternoon at the City Ground.
Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz are also expected to push for starting places after featuring from the bench against Lille. Their return would give Arteta more options in the final third, particularly as Arsenal look to improve on some unconvincing opening periods in recent matches.
There is more encouraging news regarding Martin Zubimendi, who missed the Lille game after suffering an ankle injury during an additional training session following the Leeds victory.
Arteta has indicated that the midfielder’s absence should be relatively short, suggesting he could be available again within days. However, his involvement against Forest will depend on how he responds when he returns to the pitch.
Zubimendi’s potential return would be welcome. His composure in possession and ability to provide balance in midfield have become important features of Arsenal’s play, and having him available would give Arteta another option as the fixtures begin to accumulate.
Piero Hincapié is less fortunate. The defender suffered a separate ankle injury during the same post-match session, with Arteta indicating that the problem is more serious. He is expected to miss several weeks, leaving Arsenal without another defensive option during a busy period.
William Saliba remains another notable absentee, although there has been some progress in his recovery from a back injury.
The French defender has returned to individual training, offering encouragement that he is moving in the right direction. A return to full team training is the next important step, with a comeback later in the autumn a possibility rather than an immediate prospect.
Arsenal will be careful not to rush him back. Saliba’s importance to the defensive structure is clear, but the priority will be ensuring he is fully ready before returning to competitive action.
Christos Tzolis also remains sidelined with a hamstring problem sustained on international duty, further limiting Arteta’s options in wide areas.
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