Arsenal star hoping to offer Mikel Arteta key new injury boost for Nottingham Forest clash

Gunners have several key fitness issues lingering ahead of huge run of games in September, including to Ben White, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba

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Ben White is hoping to return to the Arsenal squad for their clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

White started Arsenal’s opening game of the season at Old Trafford and helped to keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Manchester United.

The right-back has since missed the last two games due to injury, but is hoping he could return this weekend.

White is progressing well in his recovery and Arsenal will assess the player over the coming days before making a final call ahead of Saturday’s game at home to Forest.

The Gunners have a number of big games coming up this month, including matches against Manchester City and Newcastle, so they will not rush White back.

The same goes for Bukayo Saka and William Saliba , who both picked up injuries before the current international break.

Saka injured his hamstring during the 5-0 win over Leeds last month and the initial diagnosis was that he would be out for three to four weeks.

The England winger was due to have another scan on his hamstring during the international break, with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta expected to update further on his progress during his pre-Forest press conference later this week.

Saliba, meanwhile, injured his ankle in the warm-up before Arsenal’s defeat by Liverpool on August 31.

The centre-back tried to play the game at Anfield, but was forced off after just five minutes.

Saliba was released from the France squad for their World Cup qualifiers last week and Arsenal’s medical staff are assessing him to see how long he could be out. Like Saka, the defender will not be rushed back with big games on the horizon.

After Forest on Saturday, the Gunners kick off their Champions League campaign with a trip to Athletic Club on Tuesday.

Arsenal then have games against Manchester City and Newcastle before the end of this month, and Arteta will be eager to have his strongest team available for those matches.