By 90min | Created at 2024-11-21 21:08:59 | Updated at 2024-11-22 01:00:20
4 hours ago
With the final international break of the calendar year having passed, Arsenal are hoping to rediscover their form heading into the hectic winter fixture list.
The Gunners have been stuck in a slump over recent weeks, desperately missing the creativity and ingenuity of their captain Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian's recent return will serve as an enormous confidence boost for Mikel Arteta's men, who already find themselves nine points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Without a victory in four Premier League outings, a visit from the in-form Nottingham Forest will not be simple for Arsenal. Nuno Espirito Santo has overseen a dramatic upturn in results and performances at the beginning of the season and the Midlands side could well frustrate the Emirates crowd this weekend.
With several injury doubts to consider, here is how Arteta could line his Arsenal side up on Saturday afternoon.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka should feature / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages
GK: David Raya - One man immune from blame for Arsenal's recent showings is Raya, who has maintained his incredibly high standards at the start of the campaign. He may not face frequent shots on Saturday but will have to be alert to the prolific Chris Wood.
RB: Thomas Partey - Ben White underwent minor knee surgery over the international break and is sidelined for the next few weeks at the very least. Defensive midfielder Partey has often filled in at right-back in White's absence and has done a stellar job in the role.
CB: William Saliba - Saliba should have all the tools to stifle the November Premier League Player of the Month but Arsenal are without a clean sheet in the Premier League since the north London derby in mid-September. That needs to change soon.
CB: Gabriel - The Brazil international may be feeling the burn after representing his country twice during the November break. Despite a long flight back from South America, Gabriel should start on Saturday.
LB: Jurrien Timber - Full-backs have been chopped and changed for Arsenal this season due to injuries and Timber has often found himself residing at left-back as a result. He could be tested by some speedy wingers and the overlapping Ola Aina this weekend.
CM: Martin Odegaard - Odegaard made his first start following a lengthy injury away at Chelsea before the international period and scooped an assist in a convincing performance. Arsenal will desperately need his virtuosity against Forest's stubborn defence.
CM: Declan Rice - After withdrawing from the England squad for the November internationals, Rice remains a doubt to feature at the weekend. However, we have frequently seen Arteta exaggerate the seriousness of injuries to his players and the midfielder is likely to play against Forest.
CM: Mikel Merino - If Partey is moved to right-back, a spot in midfield opens up for summer recruit Merino. The Spaniard has been steady yet unspectacular at the beginning of his Arsenal career, although he's not the kind of player to grab headlines too often.
RW: Bukayo Saka - Another withdrawal from the England squad, Saka is expected to feature at the weekend despite hobbling off against Chelsea. He endured a difficult afternoon against Marc Cucurella last time out and must improve up against another Spaniard in Alex Moreno.
ST: Kai Havertz - Havertz was a whisker away from scoring against his former employers before the international break but VAR denied him a well-taken strike to add to his impressive tally. He will entertain Forest's defiant centre-back pairing of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli - After a slow start to the season, Martinelli has discovered some form in recent weeks. He was Arsenal's liveliest threat against Chelsea and produced a neat finish in the draw.
