Arteta makes 3 changes | Predicted Arsenal XI vs Nottingham Forest as £6m star returns
Arsenal face Nottingham Forest on the road in today’s late Premier League kick-off.
The Gunners are six points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa at the top of the table, but the gap could reduce to just three if the Cityzens win the Manchester derby earlier in the day.
Mikel Arteta’s side could likewise have the chance to extend their lead if Man City drop points. Ahead of the game at the City Ground, we anticipate three changes from the victory over Chelsea.
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Line-up:
David Raya is an undisputed starter in the Premier League and has kept 10 clean sheets this season so far. The Spaniard is expected to replace compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has started the last two Cup matches for the Gunners.
The defence could stay the same from the 3-2 win over Chelsea in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final. Arteta played Jurrien Timber and Ben White in the XI, with the former operating from left-back ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has been unconvincing this term.
It should be the same. William Saliba is set to partner Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of the defence. There is an outside chance that Piero Hincapie could be fit after a minor groin injury, but he could start on the bench in our view.
In midfield, Arteta has an easy choice to make with Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard lining up together. Rice’s surprise substitution in midweek added pressure as Arsenal conceded a late second goal to the Blues.
In the final third, Arteta could make a double change in the wide attacking department. We anticipate something similar to the 3-2 win at Bournemouth. Bukayo Saka played the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge and could be rotated with Noni Madueke on the right wing.
Leandro Trossard did not have the best of games in west London and was substituted shortly after the hour mark. Gabriel Martinelli has four goal contributions in six games against Nottingham Forest.
The £6m million signing is the club’s top scorer this term with nine goals despite being in and out of the starting XI in the league. He should get the nod on the left wing over Trossard this evening.
Viktor Gyokeres should be a nailed-on starter upfront after his goal and assist at the Bridge. The Swede has been Arteta’s go-to striker in the league due to his strong physical presence.
Gyokeres has the ability to keep defenders occupied, which has freed up space for his teammates to capitalise. He will be aiming to get back to scoring ways in the league against Forest.
How Arsenal could line up vs Forest today
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