Bukayo Saka Arsenal injury latest - Nottingham Forest hope, Mikel Arteta boost, England hint

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka faces a tense wait over his fitness ahead of the return of club football this weekend. The Gunners are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they take on high-flyers Nottingham Forest.

It's the first of three across seven days with two tough away fixtures against Sporting CP and West Ham to follow. The festive period presents Arsenal the opportunity to get their Premier League title dreams back on track after falling nine points behind Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta has suffered with a number of injuries this season and Saka's fitness has been one of the concerns. Martin Odegaard's return before the international break was followed by the blow of Ben White's problem.

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Here, football.london has rounded up the latest on Saka and his fitness ahead of the return of Premier League football.

England decision

After being named in Lee Carsley's England squad, Saka was one of eight players who withdrew from the national team. He missed the 3-0 win over Greece and 5-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland.

It means he has spent the last week resting and recovering ahead of the return of domestic football.

Nottingham Forest wait

In the Gunners' last game against Chelsea, Saka went off injured. "It doesn’t look good, because for two players of that importance to tell you they cannot continue in the game, obviously it’s not good news," Arteta said on Saka and Declan Rice.

There have been reports that the club are hopeful that the winger will be available for the visit of Forest.

All eyes on training

Following the first week of the international break, Arteta and Arsenal are set to return to training this week and prepare for what Nuno Espirito Santo's men will offer.

All eyes will be on training pictures and videos throughout the next few days to spot a sighting of Saka training with his teammates. Arteta will then address the media towards the latter end of the week with Saka, likely to be, at the top of the agenda.