Nottigham Forest
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Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend after the international break as Mikel Arteta’s men welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners head into the fixture with injury concerns to several key players. Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Kai Havertz have all been ruled out, while Gabriel Jesus and Ben White remain fitness doubts.
Saliba’s absence is the biggest setback for Arteta. The France international was forced off after just minutes in Arsenal’s draw against Liverpool and later withdrew from his national team duties with a sprained ankle. Havertz, meanwhile, is recovering from minor surgery following a knock sustained in the opening-day win over Manchester United, while Jesus is still working his way back from a serious knee injury suffered in January.
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White, who has missed the last two matches, could return after the break, while new signing Christian Norgaard is pushing to make his debut having sat out the opening three fixtures.
Forest also have injury concerns of their own. Defender Ola Aina picked up a hamstring issue while on international duty with Nigeria in their World Cup qualifier against South Africa. His potential absence would be a major blow, with the 28-year-old having been one of Forest’s standout performers in recent seasons.
Ola Aina
Ola Aina (Image credit: The Athletic Images)
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The trip to North London will also mark a new chapter for the visitors, who appointed Ange Postecoglou as head coach earlier this week following the dismissal of Nuno Espírito Santo. The former Tottenham and Celtic boss takes charge of his first game in challenging circumstances, with Forest hovering near the relegation zone and now forced into a defensive reshuffle.
Postecoglou is expected to bring his trademark high-pressing, attacking style, but with limited preparation time, his side face a stern test against an Arsenal team in fine form and eyeing the top of the table.
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