As the title race heats up, Mikel Arteta faces some intriguing decisions ahead of Arsenal's upcoming match against Nottingham Forest. The intensity of the Premier League battle is palpable, and with Manchester City playing earlier on Saturday, Arsenal will be acutely aware of whether their six-point lead at the top will remain intact by the time they kick off in the evening.
City’s clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford could potentially alter the dynamics of the title chase, and the Gunners will undoubtedly be hoping for a slip-up from their rivals. However, Arteta knows that for his team to stay ahead, maintaining a winning momentum is crucial, particularly as this match marks their third away game within just one week.
The spotlight has recently been on the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea, where Arsenal emerged victorious with a dramatic 3-2 finish. This win could prompt Arteta to contemplate some adjustments in his starting lineup to refresh the squad before heading to Nottingham.
Here’s a closer look at possible changes Arteta might implement:
Raya for Kepa
This is likely the simplest switch Arteta can make. David Raya has firmly established himself as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper and is expected to return to the lineup in place of Kepa Arrizabalaga. Currently serving as the backup keeper for cup matches, Kepa's role won't change anytime soon. Raya has already secured an impressive ten clean sheets in the Premier League this season—more than any other goalie—and he will be eager to push that number to eleven on Saturday night.
Lewis-Skelly for White
Myles Lewis-Skelly appears to have climbed the ranks to become the third choice left-back at Arsenal, following Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, the latter of whom started in the recent match against Chelsea. While Lewis-Skelly did not see action in that game after an uncertain performance against Liverpool, he did play the full match against Portsmouth in the FA Cup shortly thereafter. Depending on Ben White’s fitness—who has started the last two matches—Arteta might opt to hand Lewis-Skelly a starting role against Nottingham Forest. If White requires a break, Timber could shift to right-back, allowing Lewis-Skelly to take over on the opposite side.
Martinelli for Trossard
After netting a hat-trick against Portsmouth, Gabriel Martinelli may feel somewhat unfortunate to find himself benched during the Chelsea match. Leandro Trossard was chosen to start in Martinelli's stead, even though Trossard had been nursing an injury prior to the fixture. To introduce some freshness into the squad, Arteta might consider starting Martinelli against Sean Dyche’s team, especially considering that he has been involved in four goals across six appearances against Nottingham Forest.
Havertz/Jesus for Gyokeres
This potential change could stir some debate, especially since Viktor Gyokeres recently scored his eighth goal of the season in the match against Chelsea. However, Arteta has shown a fondness for Kai Havertz and has indicated that he aims to increase Havertz’s playing time in the upcoming weeks. Alternatively, Gabriel Jesus could step in for Gyokeres now that he has returned to full fitness. He displayed sharpness during his second-half appearance against Liam Rosenior's side, even winning a penalty—which was later disallowed for offside.
In conclusion, here’s a speculative look at what the Arsenal lineup against Nottingham Forest might look like: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
