Arsenal travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest, and some changes might be afoot, with Ben White making his first start in months.
The Premier League race might be on the brink of leaning towards Liverpool running away with the title. However, Mikel Arteta has insisted Arsenal will fight until it is mathematically impossible. With the Gunners now 11 points behind Liverpool, albeit playing a game less, they have a huge task on their hands as they visit third-placed Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
During his pre-match press conference, Arteta spoke about the title challenge, as well as the fitness updates on some of the injured players. He also allayed fears about Ethan Nwaneri while also touching upon the importance of Ben White and whether Mikel Merino can be effective in the No.9 role.
Starting with the injury updates, Arteta allayed fears over Nwaneri as the attacker limped off against West Ham Uinted. He said, “Ethan was just cramping, obviously his load has been very different in recent weeks, but he’s fine. Bukayo and Gabi are progressing really well but are still a bit far from coming back.”
Arteta also touched upon Merino when asked whether the Spaniard can still play in the false-nine role following a rather quiet showing against West Ham United. The Arsenal boss said, “Yes – in relation to the opposition and the options we have, and then what the team generates as well. Attacking players depend a lot on what the team is generating, the chemistry, the fluidity, the areas we are hitting, and how we interact with each other. It worked really against Leicester, but the other day there were a lot of things missing.”
Finally, Arteta spoke on the importance of having Ben White available as the defender made his return to the pitch against the Hammers on Saturday. He is in contention to start, as Arteta might shake things at the back a little.
On Ben White, the Arsenal manager said, “He’s a player that has given us something very, very special, especially in that right unit. We haven’t played with that right unit at all this season with him, Bukayo and Martin as well – a unit that has played so much football together. It’s great to have him back, it’s more options and his energy, the way he is around the team and what he generates, he’s certainly been missed.”
In terms of the team selection, there could be a few tweaks that Arteta might make. Myles Lewis-Skelly will serve a one-game suspension following his red card against West Ham, which could see Riccardo Calafiori start again in the left-back role. Ben White could make his first start in months ahead of Jurrien Timber, who has needed a bit of time off, while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will start centrally.
No changes are anticipated in the midfield settings despite Declan Rice having an off game against his former side on Saturday. The same goes for Martin Odegaard, who many have criticised following yet another drab showing. However, the duo will start in midfield on either side of Thomas Partey.
Nwaneri should start once again on the right side of the front three. However, Arteta is expected to tweak the central position again. Merino could drop to the bench, with Raheem Sterling starting on the left and Leandro Trossard taking the false-nine role against Nottingham Forest.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling
