BUKAYO SAKA is set to be FIT for Arsenal's game with Chelsea this weekend after he came off injured in the win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The Gunners thrashed Forest 5-0 to go back to the TOP of the Premier League table.
Though the win came at a cost with Bukayo Saka forced off after 27 minutes.
But the England star doesn't look to have suffered a serious injury, and is contention to face the Blues.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Sam Dymond
Arteta provides Saka injury update
Arsenal are cautiously optimistic that Bukayo Saka did not suffer any serious injury on Sunday and could even be available for next weekend's clash with Chelsea.
The England winger injured his left ankle during the 5-0 home win against Nottingham Forest and limped off just 27 minutes into the game.
He had been struggling since colliding with an advertising hoarding early on, and was then on the receiving end of a couple of hefty challenges from Forest full-back Renan Lodi.
"It was a bad kick and he was limping, but I don't see it being anything further than that," Mikel Arteta has revealed.
"Let's see how he is in the next couple of days."
- Sam Dymond
Nelson impact from the bench
Reiss Nelson fired a timely reminder to Mikel Arteta that he still has a future at the Emirates.
The 22-year-old made his first Premier League appearance in over a year when he was introduced as a substitute for the injured Bukayo Saka in yesterday's win over Nottingham Forest.
And the winger needed just seven minutes of the second half to make his mark, hitting a quickfire double to extend Arsenal's lead.
The young Englishman also registered an assist by laying on a fourth goal for Thomas Partey.
Ironically, Nelson's first ever Gunners goal came in another 5-0 win against Forest, a League Cup tie that took place in 2019.
Nelson's contract is due up at the end of the season, but there has been recent speculation that he will be handed a new deal.
- Sam Dymond
Pablo Mari discharged from hospital
Arsenal's Pablo Mari has been discharged from hospital following his injuries sustained in a knife attack at a Milan supermarket.
The defender, on loan at Monza from the Gunners, was one of four people injured in the horrific incident on Thursday evening that resulted in the death of one supermarket employee.
The 29-year-old suffered muscle damage in his back, and has already undergone surgical reconstruction.
Mari's Serie A club confirmed that the centre-back will now undertake a period of 'absolute rest'.
The current Arsenal squad paid tribute to their colleague before and during yesterday's game with Nottingham Forest.
- Sam Dymond
Arteta's Arsenal are five alive
Arsenal outlined their title credentials at the weekend by crushing hapless Nottingham Forest 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
It was the 19th time in Premier League history that the Gunners had won a home match by five goals or more.
However, Sunday afternoon's massacre was the first five star showing to take place under a manager other than Arsene Wenger.
Mikel Arteta oversaw the feat that had previously evaded the likes of George Graham, Stewart Houston, Bruce Rioch, Pat Rice, Unai Emery and Freddie Ljungberg.
The result took the Gunners back to the top of the table, two points clear of Manchester City.
- Sam Dymond
Arsenal take fancy for Facundo
Arsenal are considering a January move for Orlando City's Facundo Torres, according to the Evening Standard.
The Gunners are in the market for a right-sided attacker to provide support and competition for Bukayo Saka, particularly in light of the England international's injury yesterday.
Uruguay international Torres has shone in the MLS this season, weighing in with nine goals and ten assists.
The 22-year-old has been on the radar of the Londoners ever since he scored against them in a pre-season friendly.
- Sam Dymond
Gunners offer Saliba new deal
Arsenal have formally entered into contract negotiations with William Saliba.
The French international has been a breakthrough star for the Gunners this term following three seasons of impressing out on loan.
Now a permanent fixture in the first team three years after signing, the Londoners are wary that the centre-back has just 20 months remaining on his current deal.
The subject has been raised with the 21-year-old by the media in recent weeks, who has responded in positive fashion at the thought of committing his future to the club.
Now, according to The Athletic, formal discussions are underway with Arsenal understood to have made an initial offer.
- Sam Dymond
Youri favourites: Arsenal lead race
Arsenal are said to be leading the race to land Leicester ace Youri Tielemans.
The Belgian will leave the King Power on a free transfer at the end of the season following four years with the Foxes.
A host of clubs are interested in the midfielder, but The Express report that it is the Premier League leaders in the box seat.
The Gunners were heavily linked with Tielemans during the summer, but Leicester's asking price was considered too high for a player with just 12 months remaining on his contract.
While Manchester United remain interested in the 25-year-old too, Arsenal's hopes have said to have been boosted by Juventus pulling out of the race.
- Sam Dymond
Good morning, Arsenal fans
Two-goal hero Reiss Nelson has likened his performance against Nottingham Forest to playing a game on FIFA.
“Yeah it was amazing – like I was playing FIFA a bit you know,” he told Arsenal.com.
“Yeah the first one, Gabi saw me in the box and I knew I could get there, so I had to get there. I was going to take it first-time, and I kind of rolled it onto my left and hit it, and then I think the keeper saved – and I was gutted. Then it came back out and my eyes lit-up and I just hit it… and it went bang into the top corner. So I was really delighted.
“Then the second one, I was just busting my gut to get into the box, and I think I got there and of course I just placed it into the corner. But like I said, I’m just really happy, and just overwhelmed by the occasion.
He added: “I think it gives me all the confidence in the world you know. And yeah like I said I’m just going to keep training every day, like I can. Hard as I can, if I get another opportunity just to keep going, helping the team really – and just keep pushing on.”
Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Bukayo Saka’s injury.
The Gunners star hobbled off in the first half, after a blow to his ankle.However, his Spanish boss doesn’t believe he will miss the World Cup and it is too serious.
He said: “Hopefully not (miss the World Cup). It was a bad kick that he suffered right at the start of the game, he was limping for a bit.
“But I don’t see it as anything further than that.” When quizzed on the nature of the injury and whether it affected Saka’s ankle, leg or foot, the Spaniard continued: “I would say everything. He got kicked a few times.”
Arsenal are buoyed by the news that Mohamed Elneny has returned to training.
The Egyptian midfielder was expected to be out for some time through injury.
But now he is ready to fight for his place in the first team.
He shared an image on Instagram at training – captioning the snap: “Surprise, I’m back. #Ready to Fight.”
- Jon Boon
Record breakers
Arsenal's Women are breaking records.
By beating West Ham 3-1 on Sunday, they won their 13th game in a row in the WSL.
That is a WSL first – no team has previously won 13 games on the bounce.
- Jon Boon
Good day all round
While Arsenal's men earned all the plaudits for their five-goal salvo against Nottingham Forest, don't forget the Women's team.
Arsenal Women saw off West Ham 3-1 on Sunday evening – with goals from Jordan Nobbs, Stina Blackstenius, and Frida Maanum.
They have won five games on the bounce and sit in second spot in the WSL behind Man Utd on goal difference.
Arsenal entertain the Red Devils on November 19.
- Jon Boon
Elneny boost
Arsenal are buoyed by the news that Mohamed Elneny has returned to training.
The Egyptian midfielder was expected to be out for some time through injury.
But now he is ready to fight for his place in the first team.
He shared an image on Instagram at training – captioning the snap: “Surprise, I’m back. #Ready to Fight.”
- Jon Boon
Nelson likens performance to FIFA
Two-goal hero Reiss Nelson has likened his performance against Nottingham Forest to playing a game on FIFA.
“Yeah it was amazing – like I was playing FIFA a bit you know,” he told Arsenal.com.
“Yeah the first one, I think the first one – Gabi saw me in the box and I knew I could get there, so I had to get there. I was going to take it first-time, and I kind of rolled it onto my left and hit it, and then I think the keeper saved – and I was gutted. Then it came back out and my eyes lit-up and I just hit it…and it when bang into the top corner. So I was really delighted.
“Then the second one, I was just busting my gut to get into the box, and I think I got there and of course I just placed it into the corner. But like I said, I’m just really happy, and just overwhelmed by the occasion.
He added: “I think it gives me all the confidence in the world you know. And yeah like I said I’m just going to keep training every day, like I can. Hard as I can, if I get another opportunity just to keep going, helping the team really – and just keep pushing on.”
- Jon Boon
Mari tribute
Arsenal's stars paid tribute to team-mate Pablo Mari, who was stabbed last week at a shopping centre in Italy.
The centre back is currently on loan at Monza, but his team-mates haven't forgotten about him.
After defeating Nottingham Forest, they held up his shirt number to the fans.
- Jon Boon
Arteta lauds 'mature' Nelson
Reiss Nelson was the toast of the Emirates with two goals against Nottingham Forest.
And manager Mikel Arteta has revealed his delight he has in the young winger, as well as his team-mates' support.
"I think not only me but all his team-mates, all the staff are so happy for him because he is a kid that is really changing, really evolving, really maturing,’ Arteta said.
"He’s showing every day how much he wants it and today he had the opportunity, and he did extremely well because it helped us win the game."
Arteta continued to elaborate: "How mature he is, how focused he is in his profession.
"The way he talks, the way he reflects, the way he respects decisions, the way he is challenging everybody every single day.
"He is a joy of a kid. We all want him to be successful and do well. What he has done today for the team is something he really merits."
- Jon Boon
Saka injury update
Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Bukayo Saka's injury.
The Gunners star hobbled off in the first half, after a blow to his ankle.
However, his Spanish boss doesn't believe he will miss the World Cup and it is too serious.
He said: "Hopefully not (miss the World Cup). It was a bad kick that he suffered right at the start of the game, he was limping for a bit.
"But I don't see it as anything further than that." When quizzed on the nature of the injury and whether it affected Saka's ankle, leg or foot, the Spaniard continued: "I would say everything. He got kicked a few times."
- Kiro Evans
Same Old Saka
Even in injury, you still can't hold back Bukayo Saka.
The 21-year-old went off with a knock in the first-half of Arsenal's 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest after clashing with Renan Lodi.
But before that he assisted Gabriel Martinelli's opener to make even more history.
- Kiro Evans
REISS OF CAKE
Super-sub Reiss Nelson will be hoping he has just given his Arsenal career the kick-up the backside it needed after his brace against Nottingham Forest.
He came on for Bukayo Saka due to injury in the first-half and made his presence felt after spending most of the season so far playing a bit part role.
As you can imagine, he impressed observers and fans with his impact.
Find out he and his teammates scored out of 10 with Sunsport ratings here.
- Kiro Evans
Full-Time: Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham Forest
Ruthless, devastating, formidable. Just some of the words describe Arsenal's second-half performance as they blew Forest apart.
The draw against Southampton and loss to PSV had convinced some that the Gunners were beginning to wobble, but this was a performance of a team very much still in the groove.
They will come up against far tougher opponent's than Steve Cooper's Forest this season, but it takes nothing away from their biggest Premier League win of the season so far.
Full reaction to this win can be seen on live commentary blog.
- Kiro Evans
Arsenal chop up Forest
With around 20 minutes to go, Arsenal have ran into a 4-0 lead over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates.
Gabriel Martinelli scored early but it's the Gunners' second-half goal blitz which has put Steve Cooper's side to bed.
Reiss Nelson – who came on for the injury-hit Bukayo Saka – scored twice in three minutes, while Thomas Partey netted the fourth.
How many goals are left in this for Arsenal or will Mikel Arteta tell his troops to ease off?
Follow the final stages with full text commentary here.
- Kiro Evans
Half-Time: Arsenal 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Gabriel Martinelli's early strike has given Arsenal the lead but there will be concern over Bukayo Saka, who was subbed off due to injury.
All the half-time reaction and second-half updates can be seen here.
- Kiro Evans
Sweating on Saka
Bukayo Saka has been subbed off in the first-half against Nottingham Forest with a foot issue.
He is replaced by Reiss Nelson as we approach the 30 minute mark.
From both an Arsenal and England perspective, many fans will be praying his injury is not too bad.
- Kiro Evans
Here We Go
Arsenal v Nottingham Forest is well underway at the Emirates as the Gunners look to go back to the top of the table.
And the home side have gotten off to the perfect start with an early goal courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli.
With the game not on TV, follow our live blow-by-blow commentary right here.
- Kiro Evans
Wonderful Gesture
The Arsenal squad have paid a wonderful tribute to their on-loan teammate Pablo Mari, who was one of several people stabbed in Milan earlier this week.
The star is currently recovering and before kick-off against Nottingham Forest, the squad held up his shirt in support.
- Kiro Evans
Starting XI
Mikel Arteta has been able to call on his preferred starting XI for today's game against Forest.
Gabriel is able to start after a late fitness test and Takehiro Tomiyasu continues to soldier on in place of Oleksandr Zinchenko, who remains out.
Otherwise, it's a very familiar-looking Arsenal team.
- Kiro Evans
Kick Off Approaching
We're just under an hour and 15 minutes away from kick off at the Emirates as Arsenal prepare to face off against Nottingham Forest.
Team news should be with us at 2pm.
And when the match begins, you can keep up with every kick of the ball with our live text commentary.
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