Yahoo Sports Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest predicted lineups and team news
It’s fourth versus fifth in Saturday’s 3pm Premier League clash at the Emirates, as Arsenal look to get back on track against Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners are now without a win in four league matches, a run which has seen them fall nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
Forest are on the same points tally as their opponents and head to the capital unbeaten in their five away games in the league this season.
Odegaard needs to give Arsenal their spark back
You have to go back to October 5th for the last time Arsenal won in the league and there is no doubt that they have missed their captain in recent months.
Martin Odegaard suffered an injury in September’s international break, with an ankle problem keeping him sidelined for two months. The midfielder’s absence has hit the Gunners hard, but the Norwegian made his return in the draw with Chelsea before the latest break.
Other injuries and suspensions have also hit the squad hard, but Odegaard’s spark in the final third has been the most glaring miss in recent weeks.
The former Real Madrid man will almost certainly start on Saturday and will hope to spark Arsenal’s title bid back into life. The 25-year-old scored in this game two seasons ago and was part of the squad that did the double over Forest last term.
Arsenal have scored less than any of the other teams in the top four and Kai Havertz is their top league scorer, with four goals.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest team news
Arsenal suffered another injury setback during the international break, with Leandro Trossard picking up an issue while away with Belgium. The ex-Brighton forward suffered a muscle injury in his country’s defeat to Israel and looks set to miss the Forest clash.
Declan Rice and Bakayo Saka lasted 71 and 80 minutes respectively against Chelsea and should be fit to start on Saturday, having withdrawn from the England squad.
Ben White looks set to be sidelined until the new year after suffering a knee injury and requiring a minor operation, while Mikel Arteta is expected to make a late decision on the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori, who continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Forest will be without centre-back Danilo, with the Brazilian facing another two months on the sidelines with an ankle problem.
Nuno Espirito Santos will check on Elliot Anderson, after the midfielder came on as a substitute in the defeat to his former club Newcastle, following a foot injury.
James Ward-Prowse is pushing for a recall after coming on as a late substitute against the Magpies, while Neco Williams played the full 90 minutes for Wales against Iceland on Tuesday.
