Arsenal will be looking to respond to their defeat to West Ham United with a statement result away at one of the league’s trickiest grounds. Beating Nottingham Forest at the City Ground would be an almighty boost, especially ahead of the last-16 in the Champions League.
The squad remains thin on attacking options, and that is something which Arteta now must continue to try and solve despite repetitively highlighting the shortcomings and subsequent overachievement, in his mind, this season based on those restrictions.
The return of Ben White against West Ham offers something different and there are other players who can provide variance in the team.
Something needs to change and for me, the wide areas have been a real disappointment in recent weeks, struggling to have the desired impact. Ben White’s return along with the option of Kieran Tierney, for me, means there is a chance to return to a back three with wing-backs flanking.
That back three is made up of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes – it makes sense. Thomas Partey and Declan Rice adding further cover and security.
Then Martin Odegaard supporting a top two of Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard. The wing-backs offer the width and penetration while finally adding something of an unpredictable feel to this team that has been missing for some time.
