Postecoglou Gives Injury Update on Ola Aina Ahead of Arsenal Clash

Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that defender Ola Aina faces a fitness test after picking up a hamstring injury while on international duty with Nigeria.

Aina limped off just 10 minutes into the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, with Bright Osayi-Samuel replacing him.

The 28-year-old is now a doubt for Forest’s Premier League trip to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Postecoglou revealed that the club is awaiting medical results.

“I think we’ve got a clean bill of health, apart from Aina. We will get some information on him this afternoon after some scans,” Postecoglou told reporters.

The former Chelsea defender has made three league appearances for Forest this season and has been a steady presence in the backline.

Opinion: Forest’s Depth Faces an Early Test

For Nottingham Forest, Aina’s potential absence is more than just another injury setback — it’s a real test of squad depth. His versatility and defensive composure have been crucial for the Tricky Trees in their opening games, and losing him ahead of a tricky away clash at Arsenal is far from ideal.

Forest fans will be hoping it’s nothing serious, but this is also where Postecoglou’s tactical adaptability will be tested. Can Forest reshuffle effectively without losing balance at the back? Or will Arsenal’s attack exploit the gap?

For Aina himself, the injury is particularly frustrating. At 28, he’s in the prime of his career and has only just settled back into consistent Premier League football. Nigerian fans will also keep a close eye, as the Super Eagles need all hands on deck for the final stretch of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Ultimately, whether he makes the Arsenal trip or not, one thing is clear: Forest need Ola Aina fit and firing if they’re to navigate both domestic and international demands this season.