Arsenal fans, get ready for some good news! Mikel Arteta has given a positive update on the team's fitness ahead of their match against Nottingham Forest. It looks like the Gunners are heading into the game with a relatively clean bill of health, which is always a boost!
After securing back-to-back victories in cup competitions against Portsmouth and Chelsea, the team is now turning its focus back to the Premier League. The match takes place at the City Ground on Saturday, January 17th. Arteta is optimistic about welcoming back some key players who have been sidelined so far in 2026.
"It might be (time)," Arteta revealed during his press conference at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Friday. "I need to meet now with the medical staff. We have a training session now and we’ll see if somebody is available for the weekend."
When asked if there were any specific players who might be ready to return, Arteta admitted he wouldn't know for sure until after the training session.
A defensive crisis averted? The majority of current injuries have been impacting the defensive line. Piero Hincapie was forced off in the last league game against Liverpool, while Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera have been out of action since 2025.
But here's where it gets interesting: Despite these defensive setbacks, the team hasn't conceded more than two goals in a single game since December 2023, when they won 4-3 away at Luton Town.
Arteta attributes this impressive defensive record to the team's organization and unwavering desire. "With the right level of organization, but especially with the desire to play, shown every day, and the commitment that they show to do all the duties that are necessary for us to be a team that is very difficult to play against and to score against."
What do you think? Do you believe the team's defensive resilience is a testament to Arteta's tactics, or is it simply a matter of luck? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
