Date: Saturday 23rd November, 2024
Time: 4:00 pm
Stadium Emirates Stadium
Referee Simon Hooper (England)
Goal Scorer:
Team News
Arsenal
There is a lot of speculation surrounding the fitness of many key Arsenal stars ahead of the Nottingham Forest clash owing to a host of players staying back during the international break. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are two of the key figures who withdrew from the England setup with injuries sustained during the Chelsea game.
There is a wider expectation the duo will be fit. At the same time, Martin Odegaard will also start alongside Thomas Partey in the midfield, as the duo also stayed back at Arsenal during the international break. Leandro Trossard did suffer an injury playing for Belgium, although there is no definitive news about his fitness just yet.
During the international break, Ben White underwent a minor knee operation, which will reportedly keep him sidelined for around two months. It is a big blow for Arteta, although he will bank on some returnees, as the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori are inching closer to full fitness alongside Kieran Tierney. Still, the trio are not expected to face Forest.
Hence, Arteta has a choice ahead of Saturday: to either use Partey in that right-back role, which could see Timber play on the left-hand side, or use Jakub Kiwior or Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back. The use of Partey in defence will also depend on Rice’s availability. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli will complete the attacking setup for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Nottingham
In contrast to Arsenal, Nottingham Forest have minimal problems heading into this clash, as only long-term absentees Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo are missing from the action. There is some doubt about Elliot Anderson ahead of this trip, meaning should the former Newcastle United star miss out on the teamsheet, Nicolas Dominguez is widely expected to replace him there and partner up with Ryan Yates in those midfield roles.
Nuno Espirito Santo will undertake a few assessments of his players, such as key striker Chris Wood, after his long trip to the Far East, and while the New Zealand international is not expected to miss, Taiwo Awoniyi will be fired up to replace him and continue his good record against Arsenal.
Morgan Gibbs-While is expected to play in that No.10 role with key wide men Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on either side of him, with Wood certainly leading the line for Forest. Beyond that, Espirito Santo is expected to keep his lineup intact, especially with the backline, which is currently the second-best in the league behind the leaders of Liverpool.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Dominguez; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Prediction:Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest
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