Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard makes his first appearance at the Emirates Stadium since August in today’s visit of Nottingham Forest, while Bukayo Saka starts but Declan Rice and Kai Havertz are both on the bench.

Gunners captain Odegaard injured his ankle playing for Norway at the start of September and has just returned to action.

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Odegaard came off the bench as Arsenal lost at Inter Milan in the Champions League and he then managed the full 90 minutes four days later on November 10 as the Gunners drew 1-1 at Chelsea.

The midfielder did not join up with the Norway squad for international duty after that, but he is ready to face Forest as the Premier League resumes this afternoon.

“He played really well [against Chelsea], obviously that has its consequences because after such a long time not playing he needed time to recover,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Friday.

“The ankle reacted and other areas of the body after putting so much load into it. It wasn’t ideal, but he’s been okay. The last day-and-a-half he trained with the team and he is feeling good. So pretty positive.”

Arsenal are also boosted by Saka being fit to face Forest, who are level on points with their opponents in the table after 11 games. Saka and Rice were forced to pull out of the England squad last week due to injury, but each trained on Friday.

Rice is named on the bench on Saturday, alongside Havertz as Jorginho and Gabriel Jesus both start.

“Bukayo and Declan as well, they had the first partial session today. So, very good as well,” said Arteta.

Riccardo Calafiori features for the first time since the start of October, when he injured his knee. Leandro Trossard also starts despite being forced off playing for Belgium earlier this week.

However, Ben White is facing months on the sidelines after a knee operation and fellow defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney also remain out. Raheem Sterling is available for selection again and on the bench, though, after being unable to face parent club Chelsea before the latest international break. Jurrien Timber is also fit to return.

Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Jorginho, Merino; Saka, Jesus, Trossard

Subs: Neto, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Partey, Rice, Nwaneri, Sterling, Martinelli, Havertz

Injured: Tierney (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee), White (knee)

Time and date: 3pm GMT today, Saturday, November 23, 2024

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Referee: Simon Hooper