Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal will resume Premier League action this weekend as Mikel Arteta’s side welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates Stadium.
Forest head into the fixture after a turbulent week that saw the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo, with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou expected to take charge at the City Ground.
For Arsenal, the international break brought little respite, with several first-team players nursing injuries. Christian Norgaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba remain sidelined, while Gabriel Jesus continues his recovery from the long-term injury he suffered in January.
READ MORE: Arsenal star left out of England squad for Serbia clash
However, the Gunners have been handed a significant boost as defender Ben White edges closer to a return. According to Standard Sport journalist Simon Collings, Arsenal are optimistic that the 27-year-old could be back in the squad for Saturday’s clash against Forest.
White, who missed Arsenal’s last two matches with an unspecified injury, has made encouraging progress in his recovery. He featured in the club’s season-opening 1-0 victory over Manchester United and has been a mainstay in Arteta’s defence since joining from Brighton in 2021.
🚨Arsenal are hoping Ben White could return to the squad this weekend after missing the last two games.
It will be a boost for Mikel Arteta with games against Newcastle and Manchester City coming up.
[@sr_collings] pic.twitter.com/JhTkYGmBAY
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) September 8, 2025
His absence has tested Arsenal’s backline, though summer signing Jurrien Timber has stepped up impressively. The club will monitor White in training this week, but with crucial fixtures against Manchester City and Newcastle United on the horizon, Arsenal are unlikely to rush him back if he is not fully fit.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
“Arsenal hoping Ben White could return to the squad this weekend after missing the last two games. Big matches to come this month – Man City and Newcastle – so he won’t be rushed if not 100% ready,” Collings wrote on X.
Elsewhere, concerns persist over other key players. Bukayo Saka remains out with a hamstring problem suffered in last month’s 5-0 win over Leeds United and is expected to be sidelined for another three to four weeks. William Saliba is also under observation after twisting his ankle during the warm-up ahead of Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on August 31.
Despite the setbacks, Arsenal have made a strong start to the campaign and sit near the top of the Premier League table. With Champions League football adding to a busy September schedule, White’s potential return would provide Arteta with much-needed defensive stability and tactical flexibility.
NEXT ARTICLE: Ethan Nwaneri wins MOTM as England U21s begin Euro 2027 qualifiers