Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will bring ‘bite’ and ‘anger’ to Nottingham after their shock 1-0 defeat against West Ham United. The Gunners have fallen behind in the Premier League title race and are now nine points behind Liverpool with a game in hand as of writing. Here is our Arsenal predicted lineup.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Nottingham Forest
How Arsenal Have Lined-up Recently
In Arsenal’s disappointing defeat against the Hammers, David Raya started in goal with a back four of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori.
Starting the last four league matches together, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Declan Rice played in midfield.
The main relevation came in the form of Mikel Merino who started up front vs West Ham. Either side of him was Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard, with Sterling relegated to the bench. Young attacking star Nathan Butler-Oyedeji was also a named player in the matchday squad, after Arteta hinted last week at bringing in some of the younger stars to support his injury-stricken forward line.
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Arsenal Recent Form and Tactics
The last time Arsenal lost a Premier League match was back in November 2024. Their latest defeat against West Ham has seriously derailed their title challenge.
Arsenal’s recent Premier League form is four wins, one draw and one loss. What will pain the North London outfit the most is that Liverpool have slipped up twice to draw two of their last six, so they have faltered at the critical moment. Even Arteta admitted the title race was “not in our hands”.
Nevertheless, the manager did not question his team’s effort or desire in the fixture but pointed to not having enough quality in the final third to break West Ham down and crucially to create those clearcut chances to win the game.
He said: “You have to deliver and it has to be a lot of quality to break a really good team down to win many more duels than we have done and put actions that can end up in really threatening moments for the positions to win the game, and we haven’t done it.”
Tactically, Arteta’s side have stuck to their 4-3-3 formation which has been revised to enhance their defensive capabilities and the ability to control games. What has hampered the Reds this season has been injuries to their attackers which has underlined the need for the club to have signed another top quality striker to bolster their ranks.
Arsenal Injuries and Absentees to Consider
Ethan Nwaneri was seen limping before he was substituted in the West Ham clash. But the star will be available for selection against Forest, with Arteta citing cramp as the reason for withdrawing the player.
The Arsenal manager also gave updates on two long term injuries in his latest press conference. He said: “Ethan [Nwaneri] he was just cramping. His load has been very different in recent weeks.
“Bukayo [Saka] and Gabby [Martinelli] are progressing well but a bit far to come back.”
Having been sent off in the last game, Lewis Myles-Skelly is suspended for this match.
Still out on the long term injury list are Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus.
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Arsenal Predicted Lineup Vs Nottingham Forest
GK: David Raya
RB: Jurrien Timber
CB: William Saliba
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes
LB: Riccardo Calafiori
CM: Thomas Partey
CM: Declan Rice
CM: Martin Odegaard
RW: Ethan Nwaneri
STR: Mikel Merino
LW: Leandro Trossard
