Arsenal could start with the same set of players that lined up for the Community Shield when they welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta will look to start the Premier League season in high spirits and get Arsenal a win over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on Saturday. For the first time in five years, the Gunners open the season at home, and the manager would want to make it a good occasion.
During the pre-match press conference, Arsenal’s boss answered various questions but emphasised the game being at the Emirates. He said, “We love playing at the Emirates, and we love playing in front of our people. We have created an incredible atmosphere, and the boys and everybody is ready to be there tomorrow at kick-off and put in a performance that they deserve.”
Arteta also addressed injury news and insisted everyone, barring Gabriel Jesus, was fine. He said, “I think everybody is going to be available, I think Mo is still out and we have Gabriel Jesus who still has an injury, but the rest should be fine.”
On Jesus, he expanded the issue and said, “It’s a bit early. Still; it’s been less than two weeks since his operation. He’s been doing really well, to be fair, and next week hopefully, he can start doing some activity, but it’s something where we’re going to be cautious and make sure that he comes back in the right way.”
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
On the fitness front, a few players are inching closer to full fitness, with Oleksandr Zinchenko chief among those. The left-back missed the entire US pre-season tour, and Arteta will show caution in selecting him this early.
Jurrien Timber has performed admirably in an unfamiliar left-back role and seems like an able replacement for Zinchenko for the time being. Reiss Nelson and Mohamed Elneny were also spotted in full training, but they might not make the matchday squad for the Forest clash.
David Raya is on the cusp of signing for Arsenal, but Arteta was coy about the arrival during his presser. Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsdale will keep his place in goal, but the manager will make a late decision on the backup keeper, with Karl Hein the overwhelming favourite to take up the role.
Ben White will keep his place at right back, while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will start in central defence. Timber will complete the backline in his new role on the left side of the defence. Thomas Partey will anchor the midfield for Arsenal, as seen in the last few games during the close season.
Declan Rice will continue learning on the job in his new role and bring a different element to this Arsenal side. Martin Odegaard will assume the creative general tag and look to stitch the attack together. Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli will complete the front three.
The bench also seems stronger than ever, with Leandro Trossard, Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira and Eddie Nketiah all options for Arteta in the attack. Similarly, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Jakub Kiwior and Kieran Tierney provide further strength in depth from the bench for the other areas.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
