Arsenal have a tricky clash with a high-flying Nottingham Forest this Saturday evening at the Emirates Stadium. A win could see Arsenal rise to third; a loss could see them drop to as low as 10th in the league table.
Arsenal needs to perform well, and fortunately, they have a strong engine room that will lay the foundation for great performance.
Going into this game, Mikel Arteta could finally have his strongest midfield options to select from.
Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino (who impressed on international duty) are all fit and ready to go. Martin Odegaard returned before the break, and this almost 2-week break should have him in excellent fitness to lead the Arsenal attack.
It was only Declan Rice who many were worried if he’d be available for the clash with Forest given he played against Chelsea nursing an injury and he even didn’t manage to finish that game.
Charles Watts confirms that Rice will be available for selection this weekend. On his YouTube channel, he admitted, “I wanted to start in the midfield because I think it’s really interesting what Mikel Arteta may well potentially do or the options he has to pick from going into this weekend’s game.”
“Now, of course a lot of this revolves around whether Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, I suppose, but more specifically, Declan Rice is fit enough to start this game. Didn’t finish the game against Chelsea obviously with that toe injury, didn’t play for England… but the expectation is he should be okay for this weekend, so hopefully that will be the case.”
Since the start of the season, injuries have denied Mikel Arteta the chance to have his strongest midfield options available at the same time. But this weekend he’ll have all of his four top midfielders fit and available. However, he is limited to starting with just three: Who do you think he’ll start with?
Currently, Thomas Partey is undroppable, so he by all means retains his spot in the lineup, and considering how much Odegaard’s creativity was missed, he also starts. Merino and Rice are competing for the LCM starting spot. Who should start?
Daniel O
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I would like to see Odegard– Pathey and Merino in midfield. Odegard and Merino have played in RSoccieda before to a good effect in midfield. I want to see if there would be a telepathic understanding between them. We all know what Rice can do in midfield. And Rice can come into second half to have some minutes. It’s a must win match for Arsenal. My fear is who plays in left full back.
there is Zinny, Kiwior Timber. seems Partey will play RB
@Zackson
Zinny would be Arsenal’s weakness playing at left full back.
Playing Pathey at right full back is always a waste of his abilities as a natural midfielder. He conducts and distribute ball better playing in No6 position.
Most of us have been hoping for the midfield: Rice, Merino & Ødegaard.
@Jax I am not one of the “most” Merino is a better box to box player than Rice. If he plays as No8 been left footed will open up Matinelli and load our left side of attack. We saw that against Chelsea when he came on. Pathey is needed at the moment because of his ball distribution skill.
I think once Merino pick good form Rice/Pathey would compete for No6 position. Timber is better and natural playing as right full back, leaving Kiwior as our only option on the left and he isn’t in form at the moment.
Merino plays with a lot of confidence, which is positive; however, he relinquishes the ball several times, which could pose a problem for the entire team.
He needs to sharpen and iron these mistakes. with more game times he will
I don’t get people saying that a left footer on Martinelli’s side will help open him up Sure Odegaard is a left-footer who links up with left-footer Saka on the right So I don’t get it when people say Moreno will unlock Martinelli or Martinelli needs him because he’s left-footed I get it with a fullback because of the overlaps and crossing and what not
Because it sounds good, even if its all baloney.🤣
I would argue you need a right footed left side midfield to open up the left. But it doesn’t matter because that isn’t the problem.