Arsenal team news: Predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest as Eze decision made

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will rue being without a host of players for Nottingham Forest's trip to the Emirates. He is facing a somewhat unknown entity, with Ange Postecoglou taking charge of his first match since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo in the opposite dugout on Saturday afternoon.

William Saliba and Bukayo Saka joined a treatment room already utilised by Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus before the international break and Arteta will have to make do without both of those key players against Forest.

Here, Express Sport takes a look at who is likely to start the first match after the break...

Arsenal predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest

Goalkeeper: Raya

David Raya is expected to continue in goal, amid injury to the backline in front of him, with summer signing Kepa Arrizabalaga likely to have to wait for the domestic cups to start up for Arsenal to receive his debut.

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Defence: Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori

Arteta's biggest conundrum against Forest is on which of his defensive options should step in for Saliba, who is set to miss as many as seven matches through injury.

Many of Arsenal's full-back-centre-back hybrids could step in, but Cristhian Mosquera replaced Saliba when he left the pitch injured against Liverpool, and Arteta's praise may earn him another chance.

After another long trip to South America, this ordinarily may have been a match to rest Gabriel, with deadline-day arrival Piero Hincapie a potential replacement. But without Saliba and the unknown entity that is Forest, the rest of the back four should remain intact.

Midfield: Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice

Arteta has quickly settled on his preferred midfield three and with Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice all coming through international duty unscathed, they should be tasked with combating new England hero Elliott Anderson as he tries to impress Postecoglou.

Attack: Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze

With Saka absent for up to a month, former Chelsea winger Noni Madueke can step into his shoes for both club and country.

After impressing on England duty, Madueke is likely to be given a role on his favoured right flank once again.

On the opposite wing, Eberechi Eze is pushing for his first start and a full debut following his £67.5m move from Crystal Palace.

He came off the bench against Liverpool, with Gabriel Martinelli having a disappointing afternoon against the out-of-position Dominik Szoboszlai.

But Arteta may feel that a wildcard such as Eze may be required from the start against a Forest defence that, up until this season, was considered one of the most compact in the Premier League.