Arsenal saw their Premier League title hopes suffer a huge blow when they lost 1-0 to West Ham on Saturday.
The Gunners now head to the home of one of this season’s surprise packages, with Nottingham Forest sitting third in the table.
TBR Football predicts who Mikel Arteta could name in the Arsenal starting XI for the game at the City Ground.
Arsenal team news v Nottingham Forest
Ethan Nwaneri sparked an injury concern as he appeared to pull up as he was taken off against West Ham.
However, Arteta said at his pre-match presser that Nwaneri was suffering from cramp and is fine to play against Forest.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are “progressing really well, but they’re still a bit far to come back.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly is suspended for the game after his sending-off against the Hammers.
As for Forest, they are set to assess a number of unnamed players who are carrying knocks ahead of the Arsenal game.
Taiwo Awoniyi was an unused substitute for Sunday’s 4-3 defeat at Newcastle after recovering from concussion.
Ethan Nwaneri backed to start again as Mikel Merino could replace Thomas Partey
Arteta is likely to go with the same back line that started against West Ham for the trip to Nottingham.
Riccardo Calafiori wasn’t at his best at the weekend, but Lewis-Skelly’s suspension means the Italian gets a reprieve.
As for Arsenal’s midfield, Arteta could try Mikel Merino in the middle instead of Thomas Partey.
Merino, who played up front against West Ham, was easily dealt with by the Hammers defenders and the same could happen against Forest’s big centre-backs.
0 Comments