Saka, Calafiori and Odegaard set to return for Arsenal trip to Forest
Arsenal will look to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City when they travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with several key players set to return to Mikel Arteta's starting lineup.
The Gunners sit second in the table with 15 points from 18 and go into the weekend off the back of a 3-0 win over Lille in the Champions League. Forest, under new boss Oliver Glasner, arrive in far worse shape, having lost back to back matches, a 1-0 home defeat to Coventry City and a 3-1 loss away at Crystal Palace.
The Friday Injury Tracker
Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
Saka, Calafiori and Odegaard back in contention
Bukayo Saka was only named among the substitutes against Lille, with Arteta later explaining that the winger had been dealing with a minor illness. Saka still came off the bench to score and assist at the Emirates and is now expected to start at the City Ground.
Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are also set to return to the starting eleven this weekend after being rotated in midweek. Jurrien Timber scored the opener against Lille, but his workload is being carefully managed following his recent injury problems, meaning Ben White could come in at right back.
Christos Tzolis remains sidelined for Forest with a hamstring injury, while on the Arsenal side Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke are both competing for the left wing spot.
Injury situation for Zubimendi, Hincapie and Saliba
Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi both missed the win over Lille after picking up issues in training following last weekend's match. Zubimendi's problem was described as minor and he should return to the matchday squad against Forest, but Hincapie is reportedly facing a few weeks out with an ankle injury, according to Football365.
William Saliba is yet to feature at all this season because of a back injury and is targeting a return after the November international break.
For Forest, Nikola Milenkovic recovered from a hamstring issue during the international break but suffered bone bruising in training before the Palace defeat, leaving him needing a late fitness test. Igor Jesus remains out with a calf injury, with Liam Delap leading the line in his absence, while Nicolo Savana continues his recovery from knee surgery undergone back in March.
What to expect at the City Ground
Forest have failed to score in all three home league games so far this season and have not found the net against Arsenal since Taiwo Awoniyi's consolation in a 2-1 defeat at the City Ground in January 2024. Arsenal have won 3-0 at the Emirates in the corresponding fixture in back to back seasons, though Forest have also managed to hold them to 0-0 draws in both of the last two campaigns.
Saka has a strong record against Forest, with three goals and two assists in six previous Premier League appearances against them. Arsenal will be aiming to build on their current momentum and extend their clean sheet run as the title race with Manchester City continues to unfold.
