Arsenal team news: Predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest as Saka call made after injury update

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on Bukayo Saka and three other stars ahead of their clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

As the Gunners arrive into the busiest months of the season, their clash with Nuno Espirito Santo’s high-flying side has quickly become a must-win at the Emirates. Having Saka available would be a major boost after he withdrew from international duty with England.

Few would have predicted that Forest would one place below Arsenal in the table after 11 games, but the close nature of the 2024-25 campaign means that competition is rife at the top.

Coming in from the final international break of the calendar year, Arteta will be hoping to have no further distractions as the north London side look to close down the nine-point gap to leaders Liverpool with a much-needed three points this afternoon.

Arsenal predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: David Raya

Raya is one of the first names on the teamsheet and, despite not keeping a clean sheet since September 15, the Spaniard is in no danger of losing his place.

Neto was signed purely as an emergency backup after Aaron Ramsdale was sold and the 29-year-old’s performances have been solid enough.

With no injury concerns about his No 1 goalkeeper, Arteta will keep faith in the former Brentford stopper to end his seven-game run in the league without a shutout.

Defenders: Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko

Arteta has confirmed that Ben White has been ruled out for “months” after undergoing surgery on his knee and that means that Timber will be required to deputise at right-back.

There remains some question marks as to whether Riccardo Calafiori is fit to start having not played since the victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in October, although the Spaniard said he will be in the squad.

“Ricci [Calafiori] trained today, so his rehab is going really well. He was able to do certain things last week with the physios, and trained on the pitch this week with us and today, so he will be in the squad.”

Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are still a short way from recovering from their respective injury problems, giving Zinchenko a clear run at left-back at head of Jakub Kiwior.

Midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice

When quizzed about Rice, Arteta kept his cards close to his chest – only revealing that the England international had taken part in training with the squad on Friday.

“They have had their first partial session today, so very good as well,” Arteta said on Rice and Bukayo Saka.

Now that their captain Odegaard is fit again and Rice likely to play from the start, Arteta will finally have his first-choice midfield to choose from.

Mikel Merino is poised for another cameo from the bench as Rice may not be able to last the full 90 minutes.

Attackers: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli

Saka took part in his first partial session on Friday and it seems likely that the winger will return to the starting XI after Arteta said the 23-year-old was feeling “good.”

He will start alongside Havertz and Martinelli, who has hit a purple patch recently and scored in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea last time out. Leandro Trossard was injured during the international break with Belgium and was sent back to Arsenal for a scan.

“Trossard seems to be OK, he trained this morning and seems to be feeling good,” Arteta said.

The Gunners forward will be available for selection, although the 29-year-old is likely to be on the bench along with Gabriel Jesus, who will be fresh after being snubbed for a call-up by Brazil coach Dorival Junior.