Arsenal predicted line-up vs. Nottingham Forest: Arteta set for system switch to solve Ben White problem
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The injury news at Arsenal is not getting any better, with the latest update confirming that Ben White has been ruled out for the rest of the year. This will be a massive blow to the team as they prepare for their game against Nottingham Forest.
They are also likely to be without Leandro Trossard, who picked up an injury while on international duty with Belgium. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both need assessments after withdrawing from the England squad, as do Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Riccardo Calafiori (knee), and Kieran Tierney (hamstring).
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Hide AdDespite these setbacks, Arsenal have a deep squad, and they have been given two more weeks to get Martin Ødegaard ready for the match. When he is fit and in form, Arsenal are a much stronger team.
So, with everything at stake, here is the line-up we anticipate Mikel Arteta will field for the game against Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya has proven himself and delivered on the trust his manager placed in him, showing he is the better option over Ramsdale. He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League at the moment, and he continues to improve. He will be supported by two of the best in the business at the heart of defence: William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. Due to injuries, Oleksandr Zinchenko will take the slot at left-back, while Jurrien Timber will play at right-back. Timber has been a blessing since his return from injury, and at a time when the team is losing key players, he’s been very solid.
Midfield
I still think Thomas Partey and Declan Rice don’t always complement each other well in midfield, but Mikel Arteta has been brilliant for Arsenal, and there’s no reason to doubt his decisions. Whatever he believes will work is what every fan should trust. So, Partey and Rice will likely play together in the heart of midfield, with the creative burden falling on captain Ødegaard.
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The forward line will feature Gabriel Martinelli, who seems to have moved ahead of Raheem Sterling in the pecking order. Sterling, notably, was not allowed to play against Chelsea, his parent club. Alongside Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka will complete the attack.
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Ødegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
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