This tweak will help spark Arsenal revival at Forest

 By Danong 

Journalist Connor Humm reports that when asked if his Arsenal team would give up this season, Mikel Arteta firmly responded, “Over my dead body.”

If he means it, Arsenal needs to return to winning ways on Wednesday night as they take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

On Saturday, West Ham managed to steal a 1-0 win over the Gunners. That frustrating result, coupled with Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City, has led some to believe Arsenal is out of the title race. However, others (like Arteta) think otherwise.

But the truth is that if Arsenal is to remain in the Premier League title race, they must take care of Nottingham Forest, one of the most formidable sides this season.

Some say they’re punching above their weight, but results like Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham, Nottingham 2-1 Aston Villa, and Nottingham 1-1 Liverpool show how seriously difficult this fixture is.

Arteta needs to get the players fired up and play to prove everyone, predicting their downfall, massively wrong. Like it's us against everybody else.

And this needs to materialise without a massive squad boost. Arteta admitted the following on injuries:

Ethan Nwaneri: “Just cramping, he’s fine.” Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli: “Progressing well but still a bit far to come back.”

So Arsenal will have to beat Forest without Saka, Martinelli, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and now Myles Lewis-Skelly.

I wish Mikel Arteta retains the Arsenal lineup that started against West Ham:

Raya  
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori  
Partey, Rice, Odegaard  
Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard

With this lineup, I’d expect a tactical tweak where Trossard and Merino (given his left-side bias) keep switching positions.

Merino could tuck in (not hugging the touchline) when he drifts wide, and Trossard shifts to the 9 position. Calafiori and Rice on the left-hand side would need to be alert defensively.

Additionally, I’d expect Ben White to be introduced early, looking forward to his overlaps, crosses and his ability to get under Forest players' skins during set pieces.

Ultimately, I feel the above predicted lineup, if it lives up to expectations, should beat Forest. 

I don't know about you, but I’ll happily take a 1-0 win, Corner FC style, and continue to do so until Saka and Martinelli return.