Arsenal are back in Premier League action this evening, taking on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Here are the official line-ups.
Nottingham Forest: Turner, Montiel, Omobamidele, Murillo, Toffolo, Mangala, Danilo, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Williams, Wood
Subs: Worrall, Awoniyi, Hennessey, Hudson-Odoi, Felipe, Elanga, Yates, Vlachodimos, Aguilera
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Smith Rowe, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus
Subs: Ramsdale, Walters, Cedric, Kiwior, Jorginho, Havertz, Trossard, Nelson. Nketiah
YES
Here we go, Saka and ESR!
We’re pretty loaded in that position when you think about it…havertz, trossard and viera all do a job there…
Be nice if one of them stepped forward and took ownership of the position. Right now it’s quantity not quality at the #8. None of them have been bad per se, but none of them have been great either.
I have thought a lot about this. Arteta is not a guy who goes into anything without a plan. I think this is a position that he sees as needing a bit of everything, a guy who kind of complements everyone else, good on the ball and off it, can crash the box and score but can also keep the ball and keep things ticking. I think plan A for this role was “alleskönner” (all-doer) Kai Havertz, without a doubt, given the money invested and the number of starts in the role. From a player profile perspective it does seem… Read more »
Perfect in my opinion. COYG!
Really hope ESR seizes the opportunity and shows us what we’ve been missing!
Take your chance, ESR. Give Arteta a headache.
Arteta with the mind games with injuries again 👍
This was the lineup I was hoping….. but not expecting to be named. Now let’s not make me look a fool guys!!COYG
Interesting that Blogs left Nketiah outside the first sentence of the bench players… pointed!
Hopefully with a possible points deduction hanging over them, Forest might be quite attack minded and push forward, which will suit us perfectly..
They can’t dare sit back, we have set-plays, and corners or free kicks are not to be given against us with Big Gaby in there. COYG!!
It doesn’t look like it from the team selection and Nuno is not known for being adventurous as a manager. I would expect to face a deep block and as much physicality as the referee will allow. I think Arteta knows that and that’s why he’s selected the quicker and shiftier Smith-Rowe over Havertz today.
Here we gooooo, Saka and Emile Smith Rowe ❤️
Our strongest attacking lineup starts first time this season.
I think Partey is in our strongest attacking lineup as he moves the ball in transition so well.
What a line up!
Great to see ESR get a start!!! He’s going to have a solid game. Glad Martinelli is back in the lineup as well. Seems like a month since we have played.
It’s time for Saka and Emile Smith Rowe
A rested and motivated Arsenal side should be too good for Forest, who are getting used to a new manager and haven’t been in good form. I expect us to lay about 3 xG on them while conceding <1 ourselves.
Insert usual caveat on this being football and there’s a 5% chance it finishes 1-1 anyway.
Wife didnt understand the scream of joy when I saw the lineup! Just love that ESR bern given a chance to state his case, overdue!
An 90-year-old grandad is more potent than our attack. Nobody wants to shoot. Nobody wants to shoot. Especially not our 9. You just don’t win the PL like that.
The attack is frustratingly predictable and quality is not being shown in crucial moments. We found our best chance when Saka came over to the right, and when we started putting in crosses. Forest have been begging us to do that all game and we have refused until the end of the half.
Putting in too many crosses plays into their hands, but if they don’t have to respect the wide spaces then we will never get through the middle. Havertz can help give us more of an aerial presence second half.
I really don’t want to be negative but is there another team in world football that is this negative when they get to the edge of the opposition’s box. The lack of confidence is frightening. And for a team that does practically everything else at such an elite level, it’s mind-boggling.
I struggle to see what Jesus offers this team. A worse player than Havertz but is praised and referred to as “quality” whereas Havertz is lamented.
MOTM today. A goal and an assist. That’s what Jesus offers the team.
Happy ESR is in the team.
Bored that the boring one is in goal (no offence)
Very much wanting a win but our style of play and that pre palace period has left me both deflated and not as excited with our beloved Gunners.
COYG.