LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal passes the ball under pressure from Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Torp of Coventry City during ...
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal passes the ball under pressure from Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Torp of Coventry City during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta had injury updates on Arsenal’s four absentees on Friday, with Martin Zubimendi potentially in line to play against Nottingham Forest.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and LOSC Lille at Arsenal Stadium on October 13, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and LOSC Lille at Arsenal Stadium on October 13, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta spoke to the media on Friday ahead of Arsenal’s match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and the most positive update to come out of the session involved Martin Zubimendi.
Zubimendi picked up an injury in training last week, and he missed Tuesday’s game against Lille OSC as a result. But Arteta suggested the midfielder is now potentially in contention to face Forest.
“Zubi looks much better, he already looked much better today,” Arteta said. “We have another session tomorrow, and after that we will assess whether he’s available to play against Forest.”
Piero Hincapie of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Piero Hincapie of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s other three injury absentees won’t be back this weekend, but it’s still not all bad news with them. For a start, Arteta expects Piero Hincapie to return before too long.
“Piero is evolving really well,” Arteta explained. “Knowing his character and the way he pushes everybody, I’m sure it’s not going to take long, but he will probably need another week or two.”
Then Christos Tzolis is also a few weeks away, according to the Arsenal manager.
“He’s doing really well,” Arteta said. “Yesterday he had another MRI scan to see how the injury is evolving. It’s progressing really well, so he’s another one who hopefully we can have back in a few weeks.”
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Christos Tzolis of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Christos Tzolis of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
That just leaves William Saliba, who is back training on the grass again. Arteta suggested the defender is due for further assessment next week, but everything is looking good at the moment.
“I think next week we have another MRI with him to see how the healing process is at the moment, but every sign so far has been very, very positive. It will be great to have him,” Arteta concluded.
In summary, Sunday’s squad should be relatively similar to the one that face Lille in midweek, with the addition of Zubimendi the only significant potential alteration.
William Saliba #17 of France walks off the pitch with medical staff after sustaining an injury during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
William Saliba #17 of France walks off the pitch with medical staff after sustaining an injury during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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