Boluwatife Kehinde
Super Eagles defender Ola Aina is set to miss Nottingham Forest’s Premier League away trip to Arsenal on Saturday after suffering a fresh injury setback while on international duty.
The 27-year-old lasted just 10 minutes in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa in Bloemfontein before signaling to the bench and walking off in visible frustration.
He was replaced by Birmingham City’s Bright Osayi-Samuel, with early reports suggesting a hamstring issue. The knock comes as a major concern for Forest, who rely heavily on Aina’s versatility across the backline.
The timing could not be worse for new Forest manager Ange Postecoglou, who begins his tenure with four straight away fixtures. Facing title-chasing Arsenal at the Emirates is already a daunting challenge, and the possible absence of Aina strips Forest of one of their most dependable defensive options.
Aina’s consistency so far
Aina’s consistency since joining Forest has been a major boost for the Midlands club. Before this latest problem, he had featured in all three of the Tricky Trees’ opening league matches of the 2025/26 season, completing 90 minutes against Brentford, Crystal Palace, and West Ham. His performances have underlined his importance as both a defender and an outlet going forward.
Last season further highlighted his reliability. Up until a calf injury in early April, picked up against Manchester United, Aina had played every single one of Forest’s first 30 Premier League games in 2024/25. He not only contributed defensively but also chipped in with two goals and an assist, making him one of the most consistent players in the squad. Despite missing the final stretch of the campaign with a grade-two calf tear, he remained positive about his recovery and expressed optimism about returning before the season’s end.
With Forest keen to compete in Europe this season, Aina’s fitness will be pivotal in the months ahead. Supporters will be hoping this latest setback is not as serious as feared, as his presence has often been the difference in maintaining defensive stability.
Postecoglou’s men will need all the quality they can muster to hold off Arsenal, and Aina’s absence could prove costly.
