Injury crisis averted? William Saliba could start for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest as Mikel Arteta discusses contract talks with defender and Bukayo Saka

Both Saka and Saliba are now into the final two years of their contracts with the Gunners and despite talks having been ongoing with the pair for months, neither have yet put pen to paper on extensions. Arsenal are confident, however, that their star duo will soon follow the lead of Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri and commit their futures to the club as talks, led by sporting director Andrea Berta, continue.

Arteta’s comments will go down well with Arsenal fans, who are well aware that Real Madrid hold a long-term interest in Saliba and would be keen on luring him to the Bernabeu should he decide to run his current contract down. Saliba, meanwhile, has handed Arsenal a further boost by returning to training ahead of Saturday’s game with Nottingham Forest, following the ankle injury he suffered against Liverpool before the international break.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Arsenal boss said: “Willy trained today, so we have a decision to make whether we play him or not. [It’s] very good news.” On contract talks with Saliba and Saka, Arteta added: “Collaboration between the club, what Andrea is doing and the agents is very, very good. I think the good thing is the players want to remain here and be a big part of the history of this club over the next few years and that’s always positive. Andrea will drive that and see where we go."

The Gunners return to Premier League action on Saturday against Nottingham Forest looking to bounce back from their defeat at Liverpool before the international break. The return of Saliba would be a welcome boost ahead of the visit of former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou's new Forest side.