Date: 22nd November 2024 at 7:15pm
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Arsenal will aim to return to winning ways when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. 

Prior to the international break, the Gunners picked up just two points from four Premier League matches and therefore lost ground in the race for the title.

Mikel Arteta’s side now sit nine points behind league leaders Liverpool after just 11 games, but the Spaniard will remain hopeful that his side can force their way back into the title race.

Here, we predict the XI that Arteta could select for the visit of high-flying Forest.

Goalkeeper

David Raya has been Arsenal’s number one ‘keeper ever since joining from Brentford, initially on loan, last year. He has since kept 26 clean sheets for the Gunners, including six in 13 games so far this term, and he will start on Saturday.

Defenders

At right-back, Jurrien Timber could be deployed with Ben White out of action after undergoing surgery. Timber himself missed much of last term through injury, but he has featured regularly in recent weeks and is in line to start on Saturday.

William Saliba and Gabriel will once again start in the centre of defence. The duo have formed a strong partnership over the past couple of seasons, and Arteta will be relying on them to keep Forest’s potent attack at bay.

New signing Riccardo Calafiori is in line to start at left-back.

Saliba will start alongside Gabriel on Saturday

Midfielders

At the base of midfield, England international Declan Rice will once again start. The midfielder has been a regular for the Gunners ever since joining from West Ham United last summer, although he missed the recent international break due to injury.

Captain Martin Odegaard is also in line to start, having made his long-awaited return from injury shortly before the international break. Arsenal’s form dipped in the Norwergian’s absence, and Arteta will be hoping that he can spark an improvement on Saturday.

Mikel Merino has endured a mixed start to life in London after his summer move, but the Spaniard will likely start once again in midfield.

Rice is in line to start on Saturday

Forwards

Bukayo Saka is another player that pulled out of the England squad due to injury, but he has returned to fitness and is in line to start on the right flank on Saturday.

Through the middle, Germany international Kai Havertz is set to start once again, having netted seven times already this season across all competitions.

On the left, Gabriel Martinelli is set to start ahead of Leandro Trossard. The Brazilian had struggled for form last term, but looks to be heading back to his best and netted last time out against Chelsea.

Martinelli scored against Chelsea last time out

Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Odegaard, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli 

 
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