Mikel Arteta provides fresh injury update ahead of Nottingham Forest game
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update ahead of the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners have had an underwhelming start to the top-flight campaign and they have picked up just 19 points after 11 games into the season.
They are already nine points behind table-toppers Liverpool and have no room for error in the coming weeks if they want to challenge for the title.
Ahead of tomorrow’s game against Forest at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta has delivered an injury update on seven Arsenal stars.
Leandro Trossard picked up a severe bruising on Nations League duty with Belgium, but the manager said that he is feeling good and was part of today’s training session.
The Spaniard added that Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are also in very good condition and the English duo were involved in a partial session earlier today.
He said (via football.london): “Trossard seems to be OK. He trained this morning and is feeling good. He was able to do part of that session. Bukayo and Declan are very good, they had partial session.”
The Gunners boss also provided good news on Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian went through his rehabilitation for a knee injury during the break and has trained with the team.
However, the game will come too soon for Kieran Tierney, who has just returned to training after a hamstring issue. Takehiro Tomiyasu will likewise take longer to return.
Arteta added on the trio: “Riccy trained today. His rehab has gone really well. He will be in the squad. Kieran not yet. He had a couple of sessions with the team. Tomiyasu is going to be out as well for a bit.”
Ben White underwent a knee surgery during the international break. When asked for an update on his situation, Arteta acknowledged that he will be out of action for a few months.
He said on White: “Ben is gonna be out for months. It’s been different kinds of struggles. It’s never been the same thing. It’s not been improving. It got to a point a where we have to protect the player. Unfortunately it’s going to be a few months.”
Arsenal face a must-win game against Forest. Arteta has provided good news on the injury front as Saka, Rice, Trossard and Calafiori could make the matchday squad.
The London giants could have almost a full-strength starting XI and anything less than a victory over Forest would be a huge setback in the pursuit of the league title.
