Thomas Partey decision made as £50m man drops out: Arsenal predicted starting XI v Nottm Forest

Arsenal return to action on Saturday afternoon as they play host to Premier League high-flyers Nottingham Forest.

With the international break finally out of the way, Mikel Arteta’s charges will hope to get firmly back in the title chase and close in on Liverpool and Manchester City.

Arsenal haven’t won in the league since the start of October, though they have since recorded creditable draws against Liverpool and Chelsea.

The Gunners will be up against a tough Nottingham Forest side that started the season very well, though their last result was a 3-1 loss to Newcastle United.

TBR Football looks at who Arteta could name in his starting XI for the 3pm kick-off against Nuno Espirito Santo’s Reds.

Arsenal team news v Nottingham Forest

The big news from Arsenal involves the return of Riccardo Calafiori from injury, with Arteta saying “he will be in the squad”.

Arteta also told the Arsenal media team that Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice “had their first partial (training) session” on Friday and Leandro Trossard “seems to be okay”.

However, the Forest game comes too soon for Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu, while £50million defender Ben White will be out for several months.

As for Forest, only Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are definitely out for the game, with the former recovering from an ankle injury and the latter having a thigh issue.

Riccardo Calafiori tipped to return to Arsenal starting XI as Mikel Merino replaces Thomas Partey

Calafiori’s return from injury is a major boost for Arteta, who is likely to get him back in the starting XI this afternoon.

With White expected to be out until the new year, the Arsenal boss will probably move Jurrien Timber to the right and name Calafiori on the left.

No changes are expected in goal or at centre-back, with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba set to play in front of David Raya.

Arteta could make two changes overall from the Chelsea game, with the second coming in midfield.

With Mikel Odegaard and Mikel Merino now both fit, Arteta could try naming them ahead of Declan Rice in a more balanced setup.

As for the front line, Kai Havertz will likely lead the line with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka either side of him once again.

Arsenal predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Odegaard, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli