After a long international break, domestic football returns this weekend, with The Arsenal taking on an exciting and capable Nottingham Forest side. Off the back of our disappointing loss away at Anfield on Match-day three, the boys will be looking to bounce back and take a forward step in the right direction.
The first thing for gaffer Mikel Arteta to figure out is the line ups – with a bumpy start of the season in terms of the injury list. The manager is already missing two star players; star boy Bukayo Saka and the Rolls Royce of William Saliba, so this would be my line-up of choice.
GK- Raya, LB- Calafiori, LCB Gabriel, RCB Mosquera, RB- Timber, CDM – Zubimendi, CM – Rice, CAM- Odegaard, RW- Madueke, ST- Gyokeres, LW – Eze.
With William Saliba marked injured until late September. The most common back five for the arsenal has to be broken up. However, after Mosquera’s solid defensive performance against Liverpool showing discipline, awareness and quality, I am more than comfortable with the young Spanish defender being paired with big Gabi. With the defence being Arsenal’s strongest area of the pitch during the past few years, I am fairly confident that we will leave the Emirates with a clean sheet.
The midfield three for me has solidified itself as the first choice midfield going forward. Zubimendi since joining has been solid in the middle of the park (disregarding the foul, leading to the goal last weekend.) He is capable and has shown his ability to keep possession of the ball and to get balls out of tight situations. just in front of him, commonly referred to in the dressing room as “the horse”, a solid 7-8 /10 performance week in week out. A guaranteed starter. Finally, a return to the starting line up for the skipper Martin Odegaard.
Up front, the pace and drive of Noni on one wing and Ebe on the other should give Viktor plenty of service and without giving our new number nine the ‘kiss of death’ I can see him having a great day and maybe even hitting the first of what will hopefully be a hatful of hattricks.