Saka and Odegaard start, Merino call, Calafiori returns - Dream Arsenal XI vs Nottingham Forest

Arsenal have immense pressure on their shoulders as the Premier League gets back underway with Mikel Arteta looking to secure his first win since before the international break… not this one, October’s domestic interruption – yes, it has been that long! Two defeats and two draws have seen the gap to the league leaders open to nine points.

That said, Arsenal have an opportunistic run of games coming up where until after New Year’s Day, they will leave the capital only once to travel to Lisbon to face Sporting CP in the Champions League. This of course is a chance to build some momentum but Mikel Arteta will be focused on simply the next game.

Win against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium and the poor form can be put to bed. To do that, he needs to choose the right team and with many question marks over some, a dream line-up will rely on several players recovering from their ailments.

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David Raya has been impressing for both club and country this season, taking advantage of Unai Simon’s absence to begin solidifying himself as Spain’s number one. He will be looking to have some consistency in the back four in front of him which due to injury has simply not been possible.

With Ben White out for a period of time following a minor procedure, Jurrien Timber comes into the left-back spot in the team. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes meanwhile will be looking to lock down some clean sheets – something of a rarity this season.

Meanwhile, the hope is that Riccardo Calafiori will be able to return from a knee injury and there has been hope this break has come at a good time. The Italian has been a hit since his arrival and the Arsenal left looks far better with him in the squad.

Into midfield and while Mikel Merino showed some of his best work coming on against Chelsea, he does not make the three selections here. Thomas Partey has likely edged it when it comes to the best midfielder performer in the group this season and so starts with Declan Rice who is also hoped to have recovered and is ready to return to action.

Martin Odegaard’s recovery though is the most important factor and the decision not to play for Norway this week has been a very welcome one. The aim will be to have him fresh and ready to come back and provide the lift the side needs.

The forward three also contains an injury-hit player with Bukayo Saka failing to complete the game against Chelsea which Arteta described as not good. There has been no suggestions of anything serious however and he will hope to start against Forest.

While both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli have played for their countries and will return late. The German has even been amongst the goals for Julian Nagelsmann’s side which will be a boost for the player who needs to get back to scoring form for his club.

Dream Arsenal XI vs Nottingham Forest: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli