Arsenal have been linked with a new transfer target ahead of Mikel Arteta's side facing Nottingham Forest in the Premier League

Arsenal are preparing to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday but off-the-pitch matters have also captured attention ahead of the weekend. Mikel Arteta's side will look to put pressure on league leaders Manchester City as they seek to retain the Premier League title.

The Arsenal boss could be without several of his players through injury after both midfielder Martin Zubimendi and full-back Piero Hincapie picked up ankle issues during a cool down after last week’s win over Leeds. The pair join Christos Tzolis and William Saliba on the club’s injury list.

The latter has been a notable absentee for Arteta’s team after sustaining a back problem during the World Cup. The centre-back has returned to individual training but his manager has been coy about when Saliba, who was absent from the team’s squad photo, may be back in contention.

The club’s defensive injuries have led to links with Bayern Munich star Kim Min-jae ahead of the January transfer window. Here, Mirror Football looks at some of the biggest stories surrounding the Gunners.

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Fresh transfer target discussed

Bayern centre-back Kim is reportedly on Arsenal’s radar as the team contend with injured defenders. The Gunners have been without Saliba so far this season, prompting Cristhian Mosquera and new signing Ezri Konsa to slot in for the France international.

Despite the Premier League champions’ strength in depth at the back, CFBayernInsider reports that Kim is on the Gunners’ list of targets and has been discussed by the club. It is added that Arsenal’s head of scouting Maurizio Micheli previously signed Kim from Fenerbahce for Napoli in 2022.

The report details that Arsenal are potentially looking to make defensive signings in the January window and Kim may be available for the right price. The South Korean international has fallen to third in the Bayern pecking order, behind Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah, but did not wish to leave the German club this summer.

Kim joined Bayern in 2023 and is under contract until 2028. The 29-year-old has made six appearances in all competitions this term, starting two of the club’s five league games.

Arsenal forced to issue statement

Arsenal were quick to ease concerns after Saliba failed to appear in the team’s official squad photo. The 2026/27 photo was taken at the club’s Sobha Realty Training Centre on Wednesday and posted on social media.

Saliba was not pictured alongside his teammates, with the club issuing a message to clear up confusion over the defender’s absence. Shortly after posting the photo, Arsenal stated: “Due to a medical appointment, William Saliba was not available this afternoon.”

The centre-back recently returned to individual training and Arteta spoke positively about his recovery but refused to set a timeline for his comeback. When asked if Saliba could return after the November international break, the Arsenal manager said: “I don't know, we're still talking about weeks, and when that happens it's very different whether he would play just before, or after that, because it's a very specific injury that he processes."