Arsenal could be without five players for next match as Mikel Arteta faces anxious wait

Arsenal could be without five important players when they face Nottingham Forest at the weekend. Mikel Arteta and Nuno Espirito Santo will lock horns at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they both look to return to winning ways in the Premier League.

The Gunners have pocketed just five points from a possible 15 in the Premier League since October, with the only victory coming against Southampton at the start of last month. As a result, Arsenal have now dropped to fourth in the English top-flight, falling nine-points behind Liverpool at the top of the table.

While the north Londoners haven't necessarily impressed lately, Arteta has been juggling an injury crisis, which has left him 'praying' for the 'nightmare' to end. Speaking to Sky Sports following Arsenal's draw against Chelsea before the international break, the Spaniard was quizzed on his team's form.

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"There's nothing that we can do about that," said Arteta. "What I'm praying for is that after the international break we have the team fully physically equipped, they are available, and that they are fit, because it's been a nightmare for eight weeks.

"Doubt after doubt, issue after issue, not only with the ones that are not able to play, but with the ones who are able to play," added the Gunners manager. Unfortunately for Arteta, his prayers have fallen on deaf ears.

Leandro Trossard appeared to suffer a knock during the first half of Belgium's 1-0 defeat to Israel on Sunday night. Speaking to reporters after the match, the Belgium head coach revealed the 29-year-old forward was insistent on playing despite feeling discomfort ahead of the game.

That said, star men Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have had the chance to recharge their batteries after they pulled out of the England squad. The Arsenal duo returned from the treatment room to face Chelsea only to be forced off in the second half in that London derby.

The Gunners could be without two more key players for the Forest tie. football.london understands that Ben White underwent a minor procedure last week to resolve a joint problem that had been causing him problems, while he's not expected to return to action until the new year.

As for Riccardo Calafiori, he has missed Arsenal's last five games in all competitions, which makes him a doubt for the Forest clash. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are also out - but their absences are clearly no surprise and nor would they be expected to start.