'Very good news' - Arsenal star makes shock return to training after injury blow

Arteta has a huge reason to smile this weekend (Picture: Getty)

William Saliba is already back in Arsenal training following his ankle injury and is in contention to play against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The France international picked up the injury in the warm-up before kick-off ahead of the game against Liverpool prior to the international break.

While he started the match, Saliba came off after just five minutes with Cristhian Mosquera onto replace him.

The centre-half subsequently withdrew from the national team squad with the French Football Federation confirming a sprained ankle meant he could have no role to play.

Reports in the French press later claimed Saliba could be sidelined for three to four weeks as a result of the injury.

But in a huge boost, Mikel Arteta has confirmed he is firmly in the frame to play this weekend.

‘William trained today, so we have a decision to make whether we play him or not,’ Arteta told reporters on Friday. ‘It’s very good news.’

Saliba was forced off at Anfield last time out (Picture: Getty)

Bukayo Saka remains on sidelines as a result of the hamstring injury he suffered against Leeds United in August while Kai Havertz is recovering from minor knee surgery.

‘Bukayo is out,’ Arteta said.

‘He’s trying to get back as quick as possible, but we need to respect that.

‘He’s evolving really well with very specific work at the moment, and the moment that we increase that load, let’s see how he reacts.’

Saka ruled out until later this month (Picture: Getty)

On Havertz, Arteta added: ‘He’s starting to load and do some bits.

‘Obviously, as I said before, I think it will take him from weeks to months. But knowing Kai, I cannot give you any timescale because I know what he’s going to try to do.’

Ben White is another who could return after missing his side’s last two games.