Mikel Arteta is desperate to get Arsenal back to winning ways – but knows failure to beat Nottingham Forest will see them out of the title race.
Just 11 games into the Premier League season, the Gunners, who have been plagued by injury troubles, sit nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
The north London outfit failed to win any of their four top-flight matches after the October international break – losing twice and drawing as many matches.
Points were shared against Liverpool and Chelsea, while they suffered defeats on the road to Bournemouth and Newcastle.
And the tough run of fixtures continue for Arsenal after the November break, with the Emirates to host high-flying Forest on Saturday.
Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side have been the surprise package this season, with the Reds sitting fifth in the table – only behind Arsenal on goal difference.
And unfortunately for Arteta, he will yet again be without a full strength squad having been dealt a double injury blow.
Star right-back Ben White is set to be out until 2025 after undergoing surgery on a long-standing knee problem.
The 27-year-old, who has featured in nine out of 11 league games this term, faces 12 weeks on the sidelines, which will force Arteta into shaking up his backline.
Meanwhile versatile Belgium international Leandro Trossard added to Arteta’s headache last weekend after going off injured in his country’s Nations League defeat to Israel.
It remains unknown what the extent of the 29-year-old’s problem is after he hobbled off at the Bozsik Arena and whether he will be available to face Forest.
And there are also question marks surrounding the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice after the pair pulled out of England duty, with Arteta stating their situation is ‘not good’.
Saka limped off in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea before the November break[/caption]
Rice also went off at Stamford Bridge, before he and Saka pulled out of England duty[/caption]
Here talkSPORT.com takes a look at how Arsenal could line-up against Forest with Arteta facing a gamble over his team selection.
Starting between the sticks will be goalkeeper David Raya, who has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers this season.
In White’s absence, Jurrien Timber could be shifted over from left-back to feature on the opposite side of defence.
And this could see Arteta decide to gamble on Riccardo Calafiori with the Italian believed to be close to full fitness.
The summer signing has slotted seamlessly into Arsenal’s system since arriving from Bologna – appearing in six league matches.
However a knee knock has seen him miss the club’s last five games in all competitions, but Arteta will be keen for Calafiori to come into the starting XI to combat Forest’s pacey right winger Anthony Elanga.
Moving into the heart of the defence, and William Saliba will surely be once again be paired with preferred centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes.
As for who starts in midfield, Arteta has a major decision to make as to whether he names Rice in his team.
And should he run the risk of starting the ex-West Ham skipper, where does he play?
Many Gooners have called on Rice to start ahead of Thomas Partey in the lone defensive midfield role, allowing Mikel Merino to feature as a box-to-box midfielder following his impressive cameo at Stamford Bridge.
However Partey has stepped up a gear this season, with reports stating his form has left Arsenal chiefs open to handing the Ghanaian a new short-term deal.
While Merino will almost certainly be given a starting chance in the near future, Arteta may opt to go for Partey against Forest, with Rice slotting in once again as a No.8.
And fresh off his eagerly-anticipated comeback against Chelsea, captain Martin Odegaard could play alongside Rice in front of Partey.
The Norway international didn’t feature during the recent break to keep himself fresh for his first Emirates outing since August 31.
Like with Rice and Calafiori, Arteta may look to start Saka on the right wing, despite fears that he is not yet 100 per cent fit.
The Three Lions forward has been in imperious form for Arsenal this term, with no player in the Premier League boasting more than his seven assists so far.
Following Trossard’s early exit against Israel, Gabriel Martinelli will likely be preferred again on the left flank.
And leading the line once more will be top scorer Kai Havertz, who is coming off the back of a dazzling display for Germany against Bosnia and Herzegovnia where he chipped in with a goal and two assists in a 7-0 romp.
