Arsenal travel to the City Ground to take on the famous Nottingham Forest tonight, in what should be an open encounter.
We are expected to make a few changes for the match-up, with a number of squad members expected to get run-outs, and the game should be very attacking.
Forest come into the match having been great in attack this term, albeit terrible in defence, and have already earned 4-3 wins on two occasions.
Arsenal have not been perfect at the back either, but the centre-back pairing has been different for almost every match thus far this term, and it is hard to find consistency.
The build-up to this match has been surrounded by the expected return of Nicklas Bendtner, who signed for our opponents on a free transfer earlier in the month. The Danish striker is yet to bag his first Forest goal in his opening two outings, and it would be fitting for him to get that against us.
For our side, Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey are not expected to feature, which will likely see Lucas Perez given another chance to score his first goal in our red shirt. Rob Holding and David Ospina will likely be amongst those given roles, as well as Kieran Gibbs and Mathieu Debuchy, should the latter prove to be fit.
Predicted XI:
Ospina
Debuchy Holding Mustafi Gibbs
Xhaka Elneny
Oxlade Ozil Iwobi
Perez
This game should be goals galore looking at the form, and the safe money should be on an Arsenal win and both teams to score, or a Gunners win with over 3.5 goals depending on the markets available.
I’m even going for a nicely priced 4-1 win for our side, with Iwobi our most likely option to open the scoring.
Do you agree with our line-up? How many goals are you expecting?
Pat J
Wenger said Gabriel would play. No point risking mustafi.
Ospina
Debuchy – Holding – Gabriel – Gibbs
Xhaka – Elneny
Oxlade – Adelaide – Iwobi
Perez
Did you really include ozil in that lineup? Swap Mustafi for gabriel, Iwobi for jeff, and Ozil for perez
Ospina
Debuchy Holding Gabriel Gibbs
Xhaka Elneny
Ox Iwobi/Jeff Akpom
Perez
Finally, we have a decent B-team
I think it will be this:
Ospina
Debuchy Holding Gabriel Gibbs
Xhaka Elneny
Perez Zelalem Jeff
Akpom
It is also about giving our youth some chances.
On the bench: Ramsey, Willock, Martinez, Maitland Niles, Bielik, Oxlade
If it is Gabriel that plays I have a feeling that Gab and Holding will look rock steady together. Gabriel’s aggressive hustle and Holding’s young T Adams routine. I want Perez to score, it annoyed me seeing Slimani score a double.
Ozil broke a record at the weekend, be honest, how many of you would have noticed him being involved so much without hearing about it afterwards. It flew straight under my radar, if he’s not having touches inside the box or he’s not cutting defenses wide open, I barely notice him. He must drift and drift and drift, a little touch hear another touch there, like moving pieces on a chess board.
Ospina
Debuch gabby rob gibbs
Xhaka El neny.
Ox jeff willock
Perez
& just in case put some of the first teamers on the bench
Martinez , Beilik, Coq, Walcott, akpom, Santi, Bellers
It’s a good idea for Iwobi to play. I’m sure he’ll be desperate to make up for that goal which was unfairly stolen from him. And maybe he could use this game to work on his defending 😉
With Chelsea up next, Wenger would be stupid to field any of our first team player’s against Nottingham Forest.
I say, Give all the Youth and fringe player’s a run out for this game.
OT – I know this is premature but from what I’ve seen in Jeff, I believe he has the technique, smarts, and dribbling ability to become a striker in the future. I’d like to see him start on the wing similar to RVP and slowly transition into a center forward position.