Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Nottingham Forest, Martinelli starts

News » Premier League news » Arsenal news

January 30, 2024 18:50 GMT (UK), by Sri Aswin

Arsenal will be looking to close the gap to the top of the Premier League when they face Nottingham Forest on the road tonight.

The Gunners are currently five points adrift of leaders Liverpool and will be aiming to reduce the deficit to two points with a victory.

Predicted Line-up:

David Raya has started every league game but one since the September international break. He delivered a fantastic throw for the Gunners’ third goal versus Crystal Palace this month. The Spaniard will start in goal.

In front of him, it could be the same backline from the derby win. Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko are expected to keep their places.

Similarly, Declan Rice should continue in the holding midfield role after a brief injury scare. Instead of Kai Havertz, we are fancying Emile Smith Rowe to partner the Englishman.

Havertz has looked out of touch over the past month and it could be time for Mikel Arteta to trust Smith Rowe from the number eight position.

Further forward, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus are nailed-on starters. Gabriel Martinelli should be reinstated into the XI ahead of Leandro Trossard tonight.

Martinelli was not fully fit in the recent derby but he came off the bench to score twice in stoppage time. The Brazilian should get the nod over Trossard on the left wing.

Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Smith Rowe; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus.