Nottingham Forest have been handed a massive injury lifeline ahead of Sunday afternoon’s crucial Premier League showdown against reigning champions Arsenal, with manager Oliver Glasner confirming that defensive leader Nikola Milenković has officially returned to first-team training.
The Serbian international powerhouse has spent several weeks on the sidelines recovering from a frustrating hamstring strain complicated by severe bone bruising.
However, Glasner revealed in his pre-match press conference that the 27-year-old center-back participated in full team sessions on Friday and could make a dramatic return to the matchday squad at the City Ground.
With Forest desperate to halt a painful two-game losing skid following a 1-0 setback to Coventry City and a 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, Milenković’s potential inclusion offers a much-needed mental and physical lift to a squad under immense pressure.
Glasner Confirms Milenković Training Return
Speaking to reporters, Glasner expressed cautious optimism regarding his star defender’s availability, while stressing that the medical team will carefully monitor his physical reaction before kickoff:
“Milenković trained for the first time today, so we will see how he reacts. He could be in the matchday squad.”
Even if Milenković starts on the bench to manage his minutes, his presence provides essential aerial dominance, tactical organization, and set-piece danger against a lethal Arsenal side.
His return is especially critical given Forest’s ongoing fitness crisis, with key personnel Nicolò Savona and Igor Jesus already ruled out, while star playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White remains a major doubt after suffering a muscle strain against Palace.
City Ground Bogey Ground: Arsenal’s Historical Struggle in Nottingham
While Mikel Arteta’s Gunners arrive in Nottingham sitting near the top of the Premier League table with five wins from six matches, historical data confirms the City Ground has served as a nightmare venue for the North London giants.
Arsenal have failed to win on four of their last six visits to Nottingham across all competitions:
- January 2026 (Premier League): Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
- February 2025 (Premier League): Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
- May 2023 (Premier League): Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal (Forest secure safety, ending Arsenal’s title bid)
- January 2022 (FA Cup): Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal (Third-round shock elimination)
Forest’s ability to frustrate Arsenal through rigid defensive discipline and suffocating low blocks has yielded back-to-back clean sheets against Arteta’s men on home soil.
Arteta Facing Squad Headaches of His Own
Arsenal enter the fixture buoyed by a midweek 3-1 Champions League victory over Lille, but the champions are not without their own selection issues.
Defensive recruit Piero Hincapié remains sidelined after sustaining an injury during a post-match warm-down, though Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi is pushing for a return after accelerating his rehabilitation.
For Glasner—who faces looming boardroom scrutiny surrounding his future—deciding whether to risk Milenković from the opening whistle or save him for pivotal upcoming fixtures against Ipswich Town and Brentford could define Forest’s season trajectory leading into November.
