Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori could be close to a return from injury(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Calafiori, Hincapie – Arsenal injury latest and return dates as Mikel Arteta offers update

by · football.london

Latest Arsenal injury news and return dates after Mikel Arteta gave a positive update heading into Saturday's meeting with Nottingham Forest

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal squad looks to soon be back to full strength after the manager outlined positive news on the injury front.

The Gunners are gearing up for a trip to Nottingham Forest, who are fighting relegation this season. This, plus the fact they are hosts at The City Ground this weekend, makes them a dangerous challenge on the road to winning this season's title race.

Arsenal have enjoyed FA Cup and Carabao Cup successes against Portsmouth and Chelsea respectively over the past week and will be wishing to keep their strong form going as Premier League action resumes.

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Arteta has also been hoping for any of his injured stars to get back to match fitness in the build-up to the Forest clash, and he may have got his wish.

The boss gave a first positive update at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, revealing that his side have no fresh injury concerns from their battle at Stamford Bridge last time out.

Secondly, he added at least one who was absent for the match against Chelsea could play this weekend. He said: "There might be [a chance], so I need to meet now with the medical staff. We have a training session now and see if somebody is available for the weekend."

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football.london covers the latest Arsenal injury news, with potential return dates for all who have been absent lately.

Riccardo Calafiori

Riccardo Calafiori picked up an unspecified knock during the Carabao Cup quarter-final vs Crystal Palace last month. Four days later he was named in the starting line-up to face Brighton, but pulled out of the match and has not been seen in action since.
The 23-year-old may instantly retake his place in Arteta's main XI if he is fit again.
Possible return date: January 17 vs Nottingham Forest (A) - Premier League(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Piero Hincapie

Piero Hincapie left Arsenal's goalless draw with Liverpool with a thigh injury, as Arteta admitted he did not know how long his defender would be absent for.
If it is a short-term issue then he could be the player the manager was referring to in his press conference.
Possible return date: January 17 vs Nottingham Forest (A) - Premier League(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Cristhian Mosquera

Cristhian Mosquera has been missing since he was taken off with an ankle injury during December's meeting with Brentford.
Earlier this week, Arteta revealed the defender was "evolving really well," though is still a number of weeks away from being able to train properly.
Possible return date: February 2026(Image: (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images))

Max Dowman

Teenage talent Max Dowman suffered a similar ankle injury to Mosquera whilst playing for Arsenal's Under-21s.
Arteta said at the start of the week that he too is working well towards making a return, but likewise will have to wait some weeks before he can train.
Possible return date: February 2026(Image: Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Arteta remains coy

Despite suggesting any number of the above four players could be back in contention against Forest, he stopped short of giving out exact details.
"I cannot tell you, but I don't know," he said.
Typical mind games from the Spaniard.

Injury boosts at the perfect time

Whereas Arsenal's title challenge last season kept taking injury blow after injury blow, this time around it appears quite the opposite.
Any of the above players returning from their various issues would be following William Saliba and Leandro Trossard back to fitness. The duo missed last weekend's FA Cup tie against Portsmouth with knocks, but both managed to shake them off in time for Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.
Next up the Gunners will hope to continue their march towards the Premier League title against Forest, then after that Champions League duties resume for the new year.
That is four pieces of silverware to compete for, and Arteta's squad is creeping ever so close to full strength.(Image: (Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images))