Four players could miss Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest as Mikel Arteta handed double hope

Arsenal will host Nottingham Forest in a lunchtime kick-off on September 13, following the international break.

Mikel Arteta is facing some injury concerns at the start of the new season, with two players [Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard] picking up knocks during wins over Manchester United and Leeds United. However, Odegaard was able to shake off his issue and return, while William Saliba has become the latest casualty.

The major concern is Saliba after the France international, who was forced off the field after just a few minutes of the game against Liverpool. He subsequently pulled out of the France squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland due to a sprained ankle.

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Arteta revealed: "He twisted his ankle during the warm-up, and he came in and he said he believed that he could carry on and play but he strayed away in the first two actions. I could see that he couldn't cope and we had to get him out, unfortunately."

Meanwhile, French newspaper L'Equipe reported on Saturday night that Saliba will miss 'three to four weeks' of matches for Arsenal.

Saka is another player working his way to full fitness after Arteta confirmed he would be out for a 'few weeks.'

"Bukayo is doing better, but he will be out for a few weeks," the Gunners boss added when asked about the forward. "No surgery. It's not as bad as the previous one, so very unfortunate.

"It was an action that required full power from him, had to change direction and he felt something."

Forward Kai Havertz is also expected to miss the game after undergoing surgery for an issue sustained in the opening-day win against Manchester United. The problem is not expected to keep him out for long, but he will not be rushed back into action.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus continues to step up his recovery from a serious knee injury suffered in January and is expected to remain sidelined a little longer.

Christian Norgaard, who is yet to make his debut for the club, is working towards returning for the Forest game after missing the first three matches due to injury.

Ben White is another player in contention to return after the international break. The 27-year-old has missed the last two games with a knock, having started against United on the opening day of the season.

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