Gabriel Magalhaes appears to be fit after midweek concerns, while Kieran Tierney could start at left-back for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta will be counting on his players’ fitness in the hope of bouncing back after a loss in midweek. The Arsenal boss will have a decent enough squad to face Nottingham Forest at the Emirates. Having rested many first-team regulars for the trip to the Netherlands, a strong lineup could be on the cards on Sunday.
With no press conference held ahead of this clash, we looked at some of the midweek quotes from the post-match presser. One of the interesting things Arteta got asked was about individual performance and whether it concerned him.
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Arteta said, “It’s my responsibility to adapt and to get the best out of the players. These players have been exceptionally good. They’ve been performing at a level that probably no one expected. It’s down to us and especially down to me to get the best out of them – that’s it.”
At the end of the PSV game, Gabriel Magalhaes limped toward the team coach. Without a press conference, there was not any clarity, but the Brazilian defender was in training. It could indicate that the problem was nothing more than a knock and that Gabriel could be ready to start.
Arteta might make one change at the back, with Kieran Tierney set to return at left-back. The move could spell the end for Takehiro Tomiyasu in the eleven. Ben White and William Saliba will take up the other positions in the back four.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are set to reprise their midfield roles, with the former sitting in the holding position. The latter has played an attacking role, but Martin Odegaard will play the furthest forward among the trio.
Bukayo Saka will continue on the right flank. Having played only a cameo, the England international will be fresh to take on Nottingham Forest. Gabriel Martinelli will keep his place on the left-hand side, while Gabriel Jesus returns to the side to lead the line for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus
