Mikel Arteta may be in the middle of an attacking injury crisis – but he could be set to name his starting defence for the first time since November.
Arsenal face high-flying Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Wednesday night – live on talkSPORT.
The Gunners are looking for an immediate return to winning ways following their shock 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the Emirates last weekend.
Having failed to cut Liverpool‘s lead down to five points, the north London outfit now trail Arne Slot’s men by 11 points following the Reds’ 2-0 triumph at Manchester City.
Many Gooners now feel as though their title tilt is all-but over – and a defeat to Forest could leave them in a fight for a top four spot.
Just six currently separates Arsenal in second and Forest in third, and with Manchester United and Chelsea on the horizon for Arteta‘s side, they know they can’t afford a second successive loss.
But they know they will be in store for a tough night with the club without their four key forwards in Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Jesus.
Goals from Jesus and Saka at the City Ground last term helped Arsenal claim all three points, while the latter also scored in the 3-0 win over Forest in November.
While the club are undoubtedly light up top, they have been boosted by the return of versatile defender Ben White, who is finally back to full fitness following his knee surgery.
He made his first appearance for the club since the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on November 10 in the defeat to the Hammers.
Waxing lyrical over the England international in his pre-match press conference, Arteta said of White: “He’s a player that has given us something very, very special, especially in that right unit.
“We haven’t played with that right unit at all this season with him, Bukayo and Martin as well – a unit that has played so much football together.
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“It’s great to have him back, it’s more options and his energy, the way he is around the team and what he generates, he’s certainly been missed.”
White’s return is a boost for Arsenal in more ways than one with the club set to be without left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly due to suspension following his red card.
With a possible defensive shake-up in order, here talkSPORT.com takes a look at how they could start against Forest.
David Raya will continue to deputise between the sticks having established himself as one of the top-flight’s best goalkeepers since joining from Brentford.
White could then return to his right-back role, resulting in Jurrien Timber being shifted off to left-back – ahead of Riccardo Calafiori.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes would then once again be paired in the heart of defence as they look to shut out goal machine Chris Wood.
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Should White, Saliba, Gabriel and Timber all start, it would be the first time they’d have been in the line-up together since the 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
Timber started off his Arsenal career as a left-back, with seven of his opening nine matches this term coming from the position.
Moving into midfield, and Thomas Partey could once again be deployed in a lone defensive No. 6 role.
This would allow both skipper Martin Odegaard and club-record signing Declan Rice to slot in as No.8s – though the pair know they must start soon chipping with goals with the duo having a combined three strikes in the league so far.
Leandro Trossard will then slot in ahead of Raheem Sterling on the left wing, with Ethan Nwaneri to keep his spot on the right wing after shaking off his cramp issues.
With no fit and available striker, Arteta turned to Mikel Merino against West Ham following his dazzling display off the bench away at Leicester.
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But he failed to replicate his heroics against West Ham, leading to suggestion Arteta could look to try something else.
However, the Spaniard has hinted he will experiment with Merino up top once more when asked whether he feels his compatriot can play as a false nine.
He remarked: “Yes – in relation to the opposition and the options we have, and then what the team generates as well.
“Attacking players depend a lot on what the team is generating, the chemistry, the fluidity, the areas we are hitting, and how we interact with each other.
“It worked really against Leicester, but the other day there were a lot of things missing.”
