Arsenal set for major fitness boost ahead of Nottingham Forest clash

Arsenal have been handed a potentially huge fitness ahead of their clash with Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

It has been a difficult week for the Gunners, who have failed to win their last two games across all competitions. Mikel Arteta’s men were held to a draw by Southampton in the Premier League last weekend, and they followed that up with a well below-par performance during the week.

Arsenal had the chance to wrap up top spot with a game to spare in the Europa League, but they lost 2-0 to PSV in the Netherlands, meaning they must now better PSV’s result on the final day to finish top.

And it wasn’t just the result that was concerning in the Netherlands, with key defender Gabriel Magalhaes seemingly picking up an injury during the game. The Brazilian was spotted grimacing in pain as he walked down the tunnel.

Gabriel has been excellent for Arsenal so far this season, and he was actually rested, in part, against PSV, with Arteta starting Rob Holding alongside William Saliba. Gabriel was then brought off the bench, before going on to pick up the injury.

Arteta won’t want to be without half of his star defensive partnership against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but there is some good news.

According to the Express, Gabriel along with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Matt Turner, will be assessed by Arsenal’s medical staff in the hours before the Forest game to see if they are fit enough to take part.

And the report adds that Gabriel is expected to be fit enough to start. That will be a big relief to Arteta and Arsenal fans going into Sunday. The Gunners have the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League so far this season, and Gabriel has been a key part of those efforts.