Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that William Saliba has returned to training, following a concerning ankle injury that he sustained against Liverpool.
The 24-year-old felt discomfort during the warm-up but chose to start, only to be forced off after five minutes at Anfield.
The French international subsequently withdrew from international duty, but Arteta confirmed that he was back training on Friday and there will be a decision ahead of Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
However, Bukayo Saka remains sidelined with the hamstring injury he picked up in Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Leeds.
“Bukayo is still out and he's trying to get back as quick as possible, but we need to respect that process.”
Arteta also provided an update on the pair’s contract negotiations, assuring that both players are keen to remain at the club.
“I think the collaboration between the club and what Andrea is doing and the agents is very, very good,” he said.
“I think the good thing is that the players want to remain here and they want to be a big part of the history of this club in the next few years. That's always positive and they will drive that and see where we go."
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus also remain unavailable, with longer time frames for their respective injuries.
While Arteta was unable to give a timeline for Havertz’s recovery, he said: “He's looking really good. I mean, he's working freely. He's starting to load that knee, and started to do some bits.
“Obviously, as I said before, I think it will take him from weeks to months. But knowing Kai, I cannot give you any timescale, because I know what he's going to try to do, same with Gabi Jesus.
“So I think he's in a good moment. It was a very tough decision for him to go and have that procedure done. But I think it was necessary, and it was the right decision from the medical team to persuade him to do that.”
Jesus was omitted from Arsenal’s Champions League list, with the Brazilian forward still working his way back to fitness from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that has seen him sidelined since the start of the year.
“He had a major surgery that he was going to take in many many months so after discussing that with the medical staff and understanding the schedule that we had and when we thought that he could be available, that it would be between December and January, we decided to make that call like we've done in the past with other players.
“Hopefully, we get it wrong and he comes back earlier but at the moment the provision was very clear,” he said.
Arsenal welcome a new-look Nottingham Forest under former Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou.
Arteta was pleased to see the Australian manager return to the Premier League, adding: “It’s very good [to have him back]. As a character, as a person, what he transmits, what he brings to football, it's a joy to watch the team that always enjoyed it and learn from it.”
After their defeat to title rivals Liverpool, the Gunners will need a win to stay in the hunt at the top with Arne Slot’s side still enjoying a perfect start to the season.