Arsenal fans, brace yourselves! The big question looming over the Gunners' clash against Nottingham Forest is: who will make the starting XI, and can any of our injured stars make a surprise return? It's a nail-biter, especially with crucial Premier League points on the line.
Ahead of the highly anticipated match at the City Ground, manager Mikel Arteta played his cards close to his chest regarding the availability of several key players nursing injuries. Specifically, reporters pressed him about the potential return of Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera, and Max Dowman. Could any of these players be fit enough to feature against Forest?
Arteta responded with a hint of optimism, stating, "There might be, so I need to meet now with the medical staff. We have a training session now [Friday] and we will see if somebody is available for the weekend.” In essence, he's leaving the door slightly ajar for a possible comeback, but it all hinges on the outcome of that crucial meeting and the players' performance in the final training session.
And this is the part most people miss... Notice how Arteta avoids naming names? He's a master of tactical ambiguity, keeping Forest guessing until the very last minute. He's not willing to divulge who specifically might be in contention to return on Saturday. This secrecy adds another layer of intrigue to the team selection.
Now, let's dive into the potential lineup. One of the most interesting selection dilemmas for Arteta revolves around Jurrien Timber. He could deploy Timber at right-back, providing solidity and attacking threat. But here's where it gets controversial... Arteta also has the option of shifting Timber to the left-back position, potentially in place of Myles Lewis-Skelly. If he opts for this, Ben White could then slot in at right-back. It's a tactical switch that could significantly alter Arsenal's approach.
So, based on available information and tactical considerations, here’s a predicted Arsenal XI in a 4-3-3 formation:
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
Doubts: Hincapie, Calafiori, Mosquera, Dowman (These players are facing fitness concerns and their availability is uncertain)
Match Details:
Time and date: 5:30pm GMT on Saturday January 17, 2026
Venue: City Ground, Nottingham
How to watch: TNT Sports
What do you think of this predicted lineup? Do you agree with Arteta's potential options at full-back? Could Timber be the key to unlocking Arsenal's attacking potential? And perhaps more importantly, which of the injured players do you think has the best chance of making a surprise appearance? Let us know your thoughts and predictions in the comments below! Perhaps you believe a different formation would be more effective against Nottingham Forest. Or maybe you think playing a youth player would be a better move. Let's discuss!
