Eberechi Eze and Cristhian Mosquera will make their first starts for Arsenal when they host Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on Saturday.
Arsenal will be eager to return to winning ways when they welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. Mikel Arteta has received positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Ben White and Christian Norgaard have resumed full training, and the duo will be fit and available to take on Nottingham Forest. Additionally, William Saliba is in contention to feature on Saturday, and Arteta “has a decision to make” on his involvement on Saturday.
However, Bukayo Saka remains unavailable, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are long-term absentees for the home side. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arteta provided fitness updates on Saka, Saliba, White, and Havertz.
The Arsenal manager said, “Bukayo’s out, still out and he’s trying to get back as quick as possible, but we need to respect that process. He’s evolving really well, with very specific work at the moment, and the moment we increase that load, let’s see how he reacts. Willy (Saliba) trained today so we’ll have a decision to make whether we play him or not, very good news. The rest (trained) as usual, and Ben White as well, Ben’s OK.”
“He’s (Havertz) looking really good, he’s walking freely. He’s starting to load the knee and to do some bits. As I said before, I think we’re taking it from weeks to months. But knowing Kai, I cannot give you any time scale because I know what he’s going to try to do, same with Gabi Jesus. So I think he’s in a good moment.”
David Raya is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Arsenal lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Nottingham Forest. The backline will feature Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Riccardo Calafiori, with Mosquera making his first start for the North London club.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in the double pivot, with Martin Odegaard reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line for the home side against Nottingham Forest, with Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke being the two wide attackers.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Odegaard, Eze; Gyokeres