Mikel Arteta is almost back to full strength at Arsenal after a nightmare run of injury problems. Captain Martin Odegaard is back in the first team squad, playing a vital role in the win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Meanwhile Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, both of whom have suffered with injuries this season, were also in the starting lineup. Mikel Merino played a full part, as did Bukayo Saka, who has had niggling problems all season.
The only major names missing on Saturday were Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Ben White, but the former two of those were hardly missing, given they were both on the substitutes’ bench. White is a long-term absentee, alongside Kieran Tierney – although he is back in training – and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
A return to almost full-strength could lead Arteta and Arsenal to rethink their January transfer plans. The January window is not usually one the Gunners are particularly busy in, but with injury problems it may have been one they thought about making moves in.
Now, however, any potential transfers could be left until the summer. Arteta could add one name to his squad in January, though it would be a familiar name to Gunners supporters.
Reiss Nelson has spent the start of this season out on loan with Fulham, but has only started three matches – albeit the last three in the Premier League.
The lack of game time will be a concern for him and for the Gunners, who will have wanted him to see some action before coming back to the Emirates Stadium next summer. The season-long loan deal, if it is not seen as successful, could be cut short.
And there are reports that Nelson has already had a discussion with Arteta about returning to Arsenal earlier than expected. Football Transfers actually report that his representatives have been in talks with a number of Bundesliga clubs over making the move to Germany.
Nelson spent the 2018/19 season on loan with Hoffenheim, while he also spent time in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord in 2021/22. Nelson could cut his loan to Fulham short to move to another club, but he could also cut it short and return to Arsenal.
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