SPORTSMOLE
Thomas Partey has returned to the starting lineup for Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest, as Granit Xhaka starts at left-back.
The Gunners need a victory at the City Ground to keep their Premier League title hopes alive, and Arteta has made two changes to the side from last week’s loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Kieran Tierney has dropped out of the starting XI for Partey, who will seemingly return to the base of the midfield as Xhaka occupies a full-back role.
Leandro Trossard also deputises for the injured Gabriel Martinelli, while Reiss Nelson has not been named in the squad amid reports of the attacker rejecting two offers of a new contract.
Meanwhile, Forest boss Steve Cooper has named an unchanged team from last week’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea, with a 3-5-2 system forcing Brennan Johnson to accept a spot on the bench again.
Nottingham Forest: Navas; Felipe, Worrall, Niakhate; Aurier, Danilo, Yates, Mangala, Lodi; Awoniyi, Gibbs-White
Subs: Hennessey, Toffolo, Surridge, Johnson, Kouyate, Freuler, Dennis, Boly, Ayew
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Xhaka; Jorginho, Partey, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Trossard
Subs: Turner, Walters, Tierney, Holding, Bandeira, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Cozier-Duberry
