Arsenal v Nottingham Forest: Confirmed line-ups as Postecoglou takes charge of Forest for first time
The visitors usher in a new era at the Emirates while the hosts look to return to the top of the pile
Nottingham Forest travel to the Emirates to face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the Premier League and usher in a new era under manager Ange Postecoglou.
The former Tottenham boss, who led the north London club to Europa League glory last season, was appointed as Nuno Espirito Santo’s successor earlier this week after the Portuguese manager departed the City Ground.
Forest’s managerial change followed a breakdown in relations between Espirito Santo and club president Evangelos Marinakis, and was reportedly exacerbated by an alleged personal rift with ex-Arsenal sporting director and current Forest Head of Global Football, Edu.
In Postecoglou, Marinakis has turned to a coach with a track record of silverware, albeit one achieved via a high-risk, attacking philosophy which, given Forest are 11 consecutive league matches without a clean sheet, may do little to ease the team’s defensive frailties.
Meanwhile, the Gunners will be eyeing a return to the top of the table after suffering a first defeat of the season against Liverpool last time out.
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Arsenal team news
Arteta makes three changes to the side that fell to defeat against Liverpool 13 days ago, handing home debuts to summer signings Ebere Eze and Cristhian Mosquera.
The other change sees captain Martin Odegaard return in midfield, while Declan Rice is named among the substitutes.
Goalkeeper David Raya will make his 100th appearance for the club, becoming the 20th goalkeeper to play a century of games for the Gunners.
William Saliba remains absent following the injury sustained against Liverpool, while Gabriel Martinelli drops to the bench.
The returning Ben White and deadline day capture Piero Hincapie are also on the list of substitutes.
Starting XI: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Merino, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Madueke, Eze, Gyokeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Lewis-Skelly, Hincapie, Rice, Nwaneri, Dowman, Martinelli, Trossard.
Nottingham Forest team news
The new boss changes very little from Espirito Santo’s final outing as Forest manager. The injury sustained to Ola Aina while on international duty forces Postecoglou into one change, which sees Morato come into defence.
The Brazilian joins a familiar keeper and backline of Matz Sels, Neco Williams, Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo.
After his impressive performances for Thomas Tuchel’s senior England side in midweek, Elliot Anderson starts in midfield with Ibrahim Sangare and skipper Morgan Gibbs-White.
Dan Ndoye and Callum Hudson-Odoi provide the width for Chris Wood in the Forest attack.
Starting XI: Sels, Williams, Milenković, Murillo, Morato, Anderson, Sangaré, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Ndoye, Wood.
Subs: Victor; Douglas Luiz, Kalimuendo, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Bakwa, Boly, Savona.