As Arsenal prepare for their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, 13 September 2025, injury concerns surrounding key players William Saliba and Bukayo Saka are front and centre. Both players picked up knocks in recent matches, and manager Mikel Arteta faces a tense wait to see if they’ll be available for selection. Here’s a detailed update on each player’s situation and expected return.
William Saliba – Injury & Return Outlook
William Saliba, Arsenal’s reliable centre-back, sustained an ankle injury during the warm-up before the high-profile clash against Liverpool. Though he initially attempted to play, he was withdrawn after just a few minutes. According to reports, the injury appears to be a twisted ankle, and while it’s not yet confirmed how severe the issue is, his availability for upcoming fixtures is in serious doubt.
Arteta expressed concern after the game, stating that Saliba’s willingness to start despite feeling discomfort showed his commitment, but underlined that the medical team will have to fully assess the situation before making any return projections. At this stage, there’s no clear timeline for his recovery, and his participation against Nottingham Forest remains unlikely. He’s officially considered doubtful for the match.
Given Arsenal’s dependence on Saliba’s calmness in defence, especially alongside Gabriel, his absence could be significant. Arteta may have to turn to Jakub Kiwior or even Ben White to cover centrally if Saliba isn’t fit in time.
Bukayo Saka – Injury & Return Outlook
Bukayo Saka, arguably Arsenal’s most influential player, pulled up with a hamstring injury during the Gunners’ 5–0 win over Leeds United. While any injury to Saka sets alarm bells ringing for fans, the silver lining is that the issue is on the opposite hamstring to the one that previously required surgery. This time, no surgery is needed.
Arteta confirmed that Saka would be sidelined for “a few weeks” and that the club was taking a cautious approach due to his recurring hamstring problems. Most sources estimate a recovery timeline of around four weeks, which puts him in contention to return just in time for the Forest game.
Encouragingly, reports suggest that Saka is progressing well in his rehab and is targeting a return for the Nottingham Forest fixture at the Emirates. Should he be cleared by the medical team, he will likely feature either from the start or as a substitute, depending on his match sharpness.
Given Arsenal’s attacking struggles in recent games, Saka’s return would be a major boost. His ability to stretch defences, create chances, and score goals makes him irreplaceable in Arteta’s system.
Summary
In summary, Bukayo Saka is likely to return against Nottingham Forest if his recovery stays on track, while William Saliba remains a doubt due to an ankle injury. With both players being vital to Arsenal’s success at both ends of the pitch, their availability could heavily influence the team’s performance. Arsenal fans will be hoping for positive updates in the days leading up to the game.