8 players to miss Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal but Arteta given welcome boost

There could be as many as eight players absent from Arsenal's clash with Nottingham Forest with both teams affected by injuries to key players ahead of this weekend.

Mikel Arteta's side will be without four key players for the trip to the City Ground, with Piero Hincapie the latest injury concern after he sustained an ankle injury in training following Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Leeds United last Saturday.

The Ecuadorian had to be helped off the pitch by Illan Meslier and subsequently missed the Gunners' 3-0 win over Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday, but the injury is not as bad as first feared.

Speaking at his pre-Forest press conference, Arteta said: "Piero is evolving really well as well, knowing his character and the way he pushes everybody, it's not going to take long I don't think, probably another week or two."

Martin Zubimendi, meanwhile, also picked up an ankle injury in that same session, though his condition is "much better", with Arteta hinting that the Spaniard could be available to face Forest, having sat out the Lille fixture.

"Zubi is doing much better, we have another session tomorrow, let's see how he evolves," Arteta added.

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Christos Tzolis has not pulled on an Arsenal shirt since before the international break, having been sidelined with a muscle complaint for the past two matches, though Arteta remains optimistic about his imminent return.

"Doing really well, had an MRI scan yesterday and he's progressing really well, another one we can hopefully have back in a few weeks," Arteta said on the Greece international.

William Saliba is another absentee in the Arsenal ranks, with the Frenchman yet to make an appearance this season after aggravating a back complaint while representing France at the World Cup.

When pressed for news on Saliba, who is expected to return in November, Arteta said: "Next week we have another MRI next week to see how he's progressing."

As for the hosts, Nottingham Forest, they're sweating on the fitness of star man Morgan Gibss-White following a minor muscle injury.

Forward Igor Jesus had already been ruled out of Sunday's clash, with long-term casualty Nicolo Savona also remaining on the treatment table.

Central defender Nikola Milenkovic could make his return having sat out the 3-1 losses to Crystal Palace with bone bruising, but the potential absence of Gibbs-White would represent a significant setback for the Reds.

"Savona will miss the game, Igor as well,” Glasner told the Nottingham Post. "Milenkovic trained for the first time today (Friday).

"Let's see now how he reacts. He could be in the matchday squad, but let's see because he has been out for several weeks.

"Morgan Gibbs-White is a doubt. He couldn't train the entire week with us. It looks like he can join tomorrow's session. He had an individual session today with our rehab coaches.

"He suffered a minor muscle injury at Palace. We have to see how he reacts today and how he deals with tomorrow's session, and then we will take the final decision"