Is Bukayo Saka fit to face Nottingham Forest? Arsenal star returns to training after leg injury

Arsenal hope to have Bukayo Saka available when they face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend.

The 23-year-old was taken off in the second half of the Gunners' 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bride before the international break with a leg injury.

He subsequently missed the international break, along with eight other stars from England.

But before the Gunners host Forest this weekend, he has returned to training.

Here, talkSPORT.com looks at the latest on Saka.

Is Bukayo Saka fit to face Nottingham Forest?

Mikel Arteta has indicated that Saka should be available to participate against the high-flying forest.

This did not seem possible after the 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

The winger was substituted in the 81st minute with a leg problem, and Arteta said after the game that he was “not looking good.”

Saka had been summoned to Lee CarsleyEngland's final games as caretaker manager against the Republic of Ireland and Greece in the Nations League.

However, he retired due to injury.

Noni Madueke replaced him and put in two excellent performances, leading to some speculation from talkSPORT experts that Saka has some competition on the right wing.

England also performed excellently, winning 3-0 and 5-0 to top their Nations League group.

However, unlike some players, Saka did not withdraw out of caution, as he was physically unable to play.

3

But Saka finally returned to training on Friday, with Arteta confirming in his pre-match press conference that he looked good.

When asked about Saka and Declan Rice, he said: “They had their first partial session today, very good too.”

However, later in the press conference, he all but confirmed that Saka was fit.

When asked about Ben White's setbackHe tried to be positive and said that 'Bukayo is back'.

Saka has started every Premier League match this season, bar the 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, which he missed with a leg injury.

It's unclear if this issue that kept him out of the November international break was the same issue or something different.

But what has become clear to everyone is that Saka has been the gunners'Most important player of this season.

In Martin OdegaardAfter his absence, he has taken a step forward, contributing ten goals.

3

After a run of four games without a win in the Premier League, the Gunners need to pick up three points here, so having Saka fit is a big boost.

Add to that the return of Odegaard and Arteta's attacking options are starting to look a lot healthier.