Nottingham Forest Get a Boost Ahead of Arsenal Clash: Milenkovic Back in the Squad?

Nottingham Forest received positive news ahead of their tough match against Arsenal at the City Ground on Sunday (5/10), after center-back Nikola Milenkovic returned to first-team training for the first time following a hamstring injury and bone bruising.

The return of the Serbia international is a welcome relief amid the pressure bearing down on coach Oliver Glasner. Forest are searching for form after suffering two straight Premier League defeats: a 0-1 loss to Coventry City before the international break, then a 1-3 humiliation by Crystal Palace last weekend. In the match at Selhurst Park, Forest had taken the lead through Dan Ndoye but failed to make the most of several golden chances and had to accept the hosts' comeback.

Glasner stressed that Milenkovic's presence in training was an encouraging early signal, though it did not guarantee the player would start from the first minute. "Milenkovic trained today for the first time, so we will see how he reacts. He may be in the matchday squad," Glasner said at a pre-match press conference on Friday (3/10).

Even so, the match against Arsenal demands a solid and organized defense. The Gunners arrive with high confidence after beating Leeds United 2-1 and Lille in the Champions League in midweek. Mikel Arteta's side are known for punishing teams that switch off, especially in the second half, as seen when they turned the game around against Lille with three goals after the break.

Milenkovic's presence, even as a substitute, could be a morale boost for Forest. The 28-year-old defender offers physical strength, aerial duel ability, and experience in organizing the defensive line. His ability to read the game and anticipate opposing forwards' movement will be invaluable against an Arsenal side that is nimble in playing through balls and creating space between defenders.

In addition, Milenkovic is also an extra threat from set pieces. Forest may rely on set-piece routines to break down Arsenal's famously compact defense, and Milenkovic's presence in the box could be an important option.

"He may be in the matchday squad. We have to see how his body responds," Glasner said, stressing that the final decision would take the player's physical condition into account.

However, Glasner faces a dilemma: start Milenkovic or save him for the equally important matches that follow. Given the season is still long and Forest cannot afford to lose key players for an extended period, a cautious approach may be wiser. Especially since the 28-year-old center-back is only just recovering from a rather troublesome injury.

Forest are also still plagued by other injury problems. Morgan Gibbs-White, their key creative midfielder, is doubtful after suffering a minor muscle injury against Palace. He trained separately on Friday and will be evaluated after trying to join the group session. Meanwhile, Nicolo Savona and Igor Jesus have been ruled out, reducing the depth of Glasner's squad.

In the Arsenal camp, Mikel Arteta also has his own concerns. Piero Hincapie remains unavailable after an injury during the warm-up following the match against Leeds, but Martin Zubimendi could return after showing progress in his recovery. This situation affects the team's balance to some extent, though Arsenal remain the favorites.

For Forest, this match is not just a test of quality but also a momentum to rise from their slump. Two goalless draws against Arsenal at the City Ground in their last two Premier League visits are evidence that Glasner's side can trouble the visitors if they play with discipline and efficiency. However, with their poor finishing record of late, Forest must sharpen up if they want to steal points.

Glasner's decision on Milenkovic will be one of the determining factors. If the defender can play for at least 60 minutes, Forest's defensive stability could be maintained. Conversely, if he only sits on the bench, Glasner must find another formula to withstand Arsenal's onslaught. What is clear is that Milenkovic's return to the squad gives new hope to Forest, who are struggling to find consistency. Will his presence be enough to stem Arsenal's charge, or will it backfire if forced? The City Ground crowd awaits the answer.