Arsenal news: William Saliba injury update given as Rio Ferdinand changes prediction

Arsenal face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon following the international break – and Mikel Arteta has a few injury concerns to ponder

Arsenal host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League’s early kick-off on Saturday afternoon following the international break.

The Gunners are looking to bounce back in the league after losing 1-0 at Anfield due to Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick two weeks ago. There will be a familiar face in the Forest dugout, with former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou taking charge of his first match since taking over from Nuno Espirito Santo earlier this week.

Arsenal have a few new players who could make their debuts against Forest, while Mikel Arteta also has a few injury concerns heading into the resumption, with Bukayo Saka sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Victory over Forest will send Arsenal top of the Premier League table, above Liverpool who have a perfect record, before the other sides play. Here are the latest headlines involving the Gunners from Mirror Football.

READ MORE: Premier League injury round-up: Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea sweating on starsREAD MORE: Eberechi Eze ‘spent hours watching footage’ as Arsenal fans learn what to expect

Saliba injury latest

William Saliba was forced off in the last Arsenal game against Liverpool with an ankle injury picked up in the warm-up. He pulled out of international duty with France and the French media painted a gloomy picture, suggesting he could be out for three or four weeks.

However, there was some good news from Arteta in Friday’s pre-match press conference. “William trained today so we have a decision to make,” he said.

Saliba was replaced by Cristhian Mosquera at Anfield and the summer signing from Valencia could get the nod to deputise for him. As could Piero Hincapie, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen on deadline day. “Yeah he’s ready to go. He’s trained two days with us,” Arteta said of the Ecuador international.

Arteta hits back at critics

During his pre-match press conference, Arteta was asked to reflect on David Raya’s impressive 50 per cent clean sheet record with Arsenal. The Spaniard was signed from Brentford on an initial loan two years ago before joining permanently for £27million.

“It’s unbelievable,” Arteta said. “And I was hammered when I brought him. So that’s perspective as well. Very good to understand the game, and especially when a few months or years go by. It’s really good to look back as well and reflect on that.”

Ferdinand changes his mind

Rio Ferdinand has changed his mind about the Premier League title race and now believes Arsenal will be the main challengers to Liverpool, not Manchester City.

“I think the only team who will be anywhere near Liverpool this season is Arsenal,” he told the Daily Mail. “They’ve got a great squad, real good depth with who they’ve bought. I think they’ve had a good window and if [Viktor] Gyokeres comes good, it puts them in a better position.

“I don’t think we’ll see anyone else. Anyone you think might be a surprise, a Newcastle or a Chelsea, I think European football hinders them a little bit in that respect. Just the demands it puts on the squad.”

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