Saliba worry, Saka hope - Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Nottingham Forest

Arsenal are officially back in action this week with Mikel Arteta's side welcoming Nottingham Forest to the capital.

Nuno Espirito Santo's squad travel to Emirates Stadium on Saturday, September 13 in the 12:30pm kick-off. The majority of the Arsenal squad are currently on international duty and Arteta will be hoping all of his players return with no injuries or knocks.

A number of players are currently on the sidelines but a handful could make their returns against Nottingham Forest. Below, football.london rounds up the latest Arsenal injury news...

William Saliba

Saliba was replaced by Cristhian Mosquera with just five minutes on the clock against Liverpool on Sunday, August 31. The centre-back looked in discomfort as he limped off the pitch, with Arteta revealing after the game the France international was suffering with an ankle injury.

Saliba withdrew from international duty with France as he was suffering from a "sprained left ankle" and reports suggest he could be out for three to four weeks.

What Arteta said: "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. But thank God we have Mosquera, which we put in for the first time in the Premier League, his debut, not expecting it at Anfield and I think he was really, really good."

He added: "Well, I am [worried] because you cannot play a game of that stature. After you try, that means that there is something wrong."

Potential return date: October

Bukayo Saka

Saka was replaced on 54 minutes against Leeds United on Saturday, August 23 after he went down holding his left hamstring. The Hale Ender missed almost four months of last season following surgery on his other hamstring and he was in obvious discomfort as he walked off.

It was hoped Saka would use the international break to rest and potentially make a return to action against Manchester City later this month.

What Arteta said: "Yeah, we're getting better, but he will be out for a few weeks, unfortunately. No, no surgery. It's not as bad as the previous one. Obviously, very unfortunate to kick it off, he's on the other side. It's an action that requires full power from him. Then he clashed with the opponent, he needs to change pace again. And he felt something, so he will be out for a couple of weeks.

"I don't know. Let's see how he evolves in the next few days, few weeks. Repeat the scan and see where he's at."

Potential return date: Manchester City (Sunday, September 21)

Kai Havertz

It emerged before the Leeds United game that Kai Havertz had picked up a knee injury. Arsenal confirmed at the end of last month that the German international required surgery, with the forward undergoing a "successful minor surgical procedure" on August 28.

What Arteta said: "I think it will be weeks, but I don't know how many months. Very unfortunate, very sad for him. I think he did tremendously well to recover from the previous one. He's never had an injury before. And suddenly this happens, but this is our profession, our football. We need to live with that. Obviously, we lose another big player for many, many weeks. But it was the right thing to do. The doctors advised and I think he was very convinced at the end that it was the quickest and the best way to resolve that issue.

"Every time there is a surgery you expect something like this. I'll leave that for the medical staff to explain in detail what it was. But hopefully the most important thing is when he gets back he's in good condition and maybe in a long time he'll be protected by the players."

Potential return date: Unknown

Christian Norgaard

Norgaard has missed Arsenal's opening three Premier League fixtures this season after picking up a minor injury. The former Brentford man was yet again left out of the matchday squad to face Liverpool, but could return to fitness in time for Nottingham Forest.

What Arteta said: "So that's another two that we don't know yet. Again tomorrow we have another day, let's see how they evolve. And this is a chance to keep them involved in the game."

Potential return date: Nottingham Forest (Sunday, September 13)

Ben White

The defender started Arsenal's 1-0 win over Manchester United on the opening day of the season but was forced off in the 71st minute. He was replaced by Jurrien Timber but the positive news was that he seemed fine walking off himself. The former Brighton man was not in the matchday squad against Leeds, however, and also did not make the squad for the clash at Liverpool.

What Arteta said: "So that's another two that we don't know yet. Again tomorrow we have another day, let's see how they evolve. And this is a chance to keep them involved in the game."

Potential return date: Nottingham Forest (Sunday, September 13)

Gabriel Jesus

Jesus has been out since he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United last season. He has regularly posted updates on his recovery via social media, including pictures of him in the gym.

In August the Brazilian shared an update of himself running and taking part in ball exercises back out on the grass. He said: "It’s been seven months of pain, uncertainty, and anxiety. Today, I finally feel light — like a child playing football again. GOD IS GREAT."

Potential return date: December