Ola Aina and Murillo react as key Nottingham Forest star welcomed back ahead of Arsenal clash
Ola Aina and Murillo are clearly overjoyed about the return of one of their teammates ahead of Nottingham Forest’s key game against Arsenal.
Arsenal are favourites for the Premier League title, while the Reds are battling against relegation, having already sacked two managers since the 2025-26 campaign began.
However, Sean Dyche is already under pressure at the City Ground, and games do not get any harder than the Gunners on Saturday, 17 January, especially after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Wrexham.
The Tricky Trees have won just one of their last six matches across all competitions, with their league form leaving them just one spot above the relegation zone, albeit with a seven-point gap on West Ham.
It would be fair to say that Dyche has been hindered by injuries, with Chris Wood still sidelined, as well as Ryan Yates, while others have been missing due to international commitments.
Ibrahim Sangare returns from AFCON ahead of Arsenal
Joining Willy Boly, Ibrahim Sangare has been away at AFCON with the Ivory Coast, but after being knocked out by Egypt in the quarter-finals, Forest are ready to welcome the duo back to the City Ground.
Taking to Instagram (15 January), the official account posted an image of Sangare walking into the Nigel Doughty Academy building, with the simple caption, “Ibra’s back,” with a waving emoji.
The Reds have won just one game – a 2-1 win over West Ham – since Sangare jetted off to AFCON, but with the Ivory Coast knocked out, the midfielder could be reinstated to the starting lineup.
Clearly excited about their teammate returning, Aina and Murillo both liked the post, alongside goalkeeper Matz Sels, who is also likely to start due to John Victor‘s injury.
What has Sean Dyche said about injuries pre-Arsenal?
Given how key Sangare had been in the early stages of the season, Dyche will be hugely positive about his return to the squad and could go straight into the lineup at the City Ground.
His injury updates are not quite as positive, though, admitting, “Yates has been back on the grass with us, which is good. He’s looking closer to being back. Wood is making slow, but good progress…
“John Victor has had a minor operation on his knee. So, he’s out now for a little bit – we’re not sure on the timescale,” and Mikel Arteta’s side will take advantage of any weaknesses possible.
The Arsenal boss is under pressure to bring silverware back to North London for the first time since lifting the FA Cup in 2020, but Man City are hot on their tail in the Premier League title race.