Arsenal predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest - Premier League
- Major interest in Kai Havertz's role at Arsenal
- Declan Rice and Thomas Partey to feature together
- Jurrien Timber set to get more minutes at left-back
By Euan Burns
The Premier League season for Arsenal and Nottingham Forest gets underway on Saturday as they contest the first lunch-time fixture of the 2023/24 season.
Mikel Arteta has overseen a successful summer transfer window with the arrivals of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber and saw his side land a major mental blow with the 1-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City.
However, the Spaniard has a number of injury issues to contend with ahead of the first league fixture of the season against Forest at the Emirates.
Here's the Arsenal side Arteta could pick on Saturday.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest (4-3-3)
GK: Aaron Ramsdale - There's a sudden amount of focus on Arsenal's goalkeeper position with David Raya likely arriving in the coming days, but Ramsdale will start the season between the sticks and at least a few games more while Raya gets settled. Then, the battle begins.
RB: Ben White - White has made the right-back role his own and played the entirety of the Community Shield. His versatility makes him incredibly important to Arteta.
CB: William Saliba - Arsenal fans are thrilled to see Saliba back in action after he missed the back end of the 2022/23 season. He played the whole game against Man City too, so he is clearly back up to scratch.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes - The other half of Arsenal's best centre-back partnership, Gabriel has been a great signing for Arsenal and is part of the spine of the team.
LB: Jurrien Timber - Having settled in very well early on, expect Timber to keep getting minutes at left-back. When Oleksandr Zinchenko returns from injury, things will get harder for Arteta.
CM: Martin Odegaard - Captain Odegaard is an undroppable player at this point and will want to get a goal contribution early on this season as one of the best players in the league.
CM: Thomas Partey - Many wondered if Partey's position in the team was under threat with Rice's arrival, but Arteta seems content to use both in a midfield three to begin with.
CM: Declan Rice - Playing a slightly wider role than he did at West Ham, Rice was really impressive against Man City and could settle very quickly at the Emirates.
RW: Bukayo Saka - Another player who picks himself in this Arsenal team is Saka, who becomes more and more of a leader as each game goes by.
CF: Kai Havertz - There are three players that could be given this role. Arteta may use one of Havertz or Leandro Trossard as a false nine, or he could give Eddie Nketiah a start in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli - The main aim for Martinelli this season is to have an uninterrupted campaign of good performances. He has shown his quality on countless occasions but injuries and dips in form have meant that he isn't an undroppable attacker.
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