Now that the November international break has concluded, attention will return to the Premier League at Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta has a lot to solve when his players return to Colney as several Arsenal players embarked on international duty.
The manager will be relieved to have his squad back in one piece considering how cruel the international breaks have been on the injury front this season.
Injuries or not, Arteta needs to get the Gunners back on track, with a lot at stake as Arsenal host Nottingham Forest on match day 12.
- READ MORE: How many minutes Arsenal stars played in international break compared to Liverpool and Man City
Arsenal injury news
While the majority of the squad return to North London unscathed, Arsenal didn’t quite escape suffering additional injury concerns over the break.
Leandro Trossard was hurt on international duty during Belgium’s defeat to Israel, there’s yet to be an update on the forward’s fitness, making him an early doubt for Forest.
On the subject of doubts comes another six first team players, including long-term absentees Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney.
A lot has happened since Arsenal were last in action, as Ben White underwent surgery, ruling him out for the foreseeable future.
There’s little update on Riccardo Calafiori’s knee injury which has seen the defender out of action for the Gunners since the Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
In Arsenal’s draw with Chelsea before the international break commenced, Declan Rice played with a broken foot, with it assumed that the midfielder will not be available for Forest.
There also remains doubt in attack as Bukayo Saka withdrew from the England squad after being substituted at Stamford Bridge in some discomfort.
As many as seven Arsenal players could miss out against Forest, giving Arteta a lot to think about ahead of selecting his starting XI.
How Mikel Arteta could line-up against Nottingham Forest
Arteta is incredibly short on depth in attack however, can call on Gabriel Jesus to replace Saka on the right side of the front line if necessary.
Jesus will appreciate more game time at Arsenal after missing out on the November international break due to not receiving a Brazil call up.
The same goes for another player who could come into the XI, as Oleksandr Zinchenko’s minutes have been limited.
While the Ukrainian certainly splits opinion, Zinchenko impressed on international duty however, it was in midfield rather than at left-back where Arteta might need him.
The other changes speak for themselves, with Jurrien Timber shifting to the right side of defence to cover White’s absence.
Thomas Partey could replace Rice in midfield, joining a well-rested Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino.
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