Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta gets injury boost as Gunners target responds to transfer rumours
Mikel Arteta is currently facing something of an injury crisis after a number of concerns in his squad - including Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice - and the Spaniard will hope to welcome them back for their clash against Nottingham Forest
by Oli Gamp · The MirrorArsenal will soon have the chance to kickstart their season against Nottingham Forest next week as they look to return to winning ways.
The Gunners have gone three games without tasting victory after back-to-back defeats against Newcastle and Inter Milan was followed with a 1-1 draw at Chelsea last weekend.
Arteta is currently facing an injury crisis after a number of concerns in his squad - including Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice - having only just welcomed captain Martin Odegaard back from a long-term injury lay-off.
He'll be confident of securing the three points against Forest next week as he eagerly awaits the return of his players from international duty. Mirror Football has picked out some of the biggest headlines relating to the Gunners this week.
Arteta's injury boost
Arteta recently spoke of the club's "nightmare" injury problems that have mounted up of late and said he was praying that he had fewer issues to contend with after the international break.
Well according to Football London, the Spaniard's prayers may have been answered after they reported that up to five players are set to return for the Forest clash.
It says Raheem Sterling - who could not play against parent club Chelsea last week - will come back into the fold along with Saka and Rice, despite both players missing England duty after picking up knocks against the Blues.
Meanwhile, defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori are both understood to be closing in on a return too, the report goes on.
Ben White remains out, with the defender set to be sidelined until the new year, which should allow Jurrien Timber to slot in at right back.
Guendouzi's "attitude" problem
Former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi left the Emirates on a sour note in 2022 after being case aside by Arteta - and a former team-mate of the Frenchman's has said he witnessed his poor attitude first hand.
Guendouzi got himself into hot water with Arteta in 2020 after appearing to grab Brighton's Neal Maupay by the neck - and that proved to be the final straw for the Spanish boss, who sent him on loan to Marseille and Hertha Berlin in the following seasons.
Arsenal fans may recall Guendouzi's hot streak during his time at the Emirates and ex-Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere - the former striker who played with the midfielder at Lorient - said he sensed the player's "attitude".
He told Le Telegramme: "Frankly, from the point of view of talent and purely football, if I’m just talking about that, there is no surprise. "Frankly, from the point of view of talent and purely football, if I’m just talking about that, there is no surprise.
"After, during my last season in Lorient, when he started to train with us and to play, I had a little question about his attitude. I said to myself: He’ll have to change a bit.
"He’s in Lorient, so it’s understandable, it’s a small family club, that’s it. But if he wants to climb the ladder and go play in a big club, his attitude will have to change. I think he understood that right away when he arrived [at Arsenal]."
Zubimendi responds to transfer speculation
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi has spoken out after rumours he could finally leave Real Sociedad in January - having been strongly linked with a move away in the summer.
Zubimendi impressed for Spain at Euro 2024 and reportedly had both Arsenal and Liverpool chasing his signature before he opted to stay put.
Now he has addressed transfer speculation once again - stressing he was not interested in rumours claiming he could make a big move to the Premier League.
He told Estadio Deportivo: "There will always be rumours and now that January is approaching, there will be too, but I don’t waste energy on outside noise. I’m happy with the way I’m handling it and I’m going to handle it."
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