Eze starts, Odegaard returns and Saliba replacement found – Arsenal changes vs Nottingham Forest

Martin Odegaard returns and Arsenal find their William Saliba replacement (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta is set to take on Ange Postecoglou so soon after the pair met in a recent North London Derby. But now that the Australian is taking over at Nottingham Forest, Arsenal will be reunited sooner than they might have thought with a rival.

The Gunners come off their defeat to Liverpool and the dragging international break hungry to get back to winning ways. Arteta is already under pressure after the loss, with such an expectation of silverware hanging over this season. However, perhaps even more so is the sense that this side needs to play better football.

Thankfully, with the conclusion of the international break, Arteta has the benefit of further integrating his new signings and can make some changes ahead of the weekend, helped further by the return of others from fitness problems.

Furthermore, there is now an away trip to Europe to follow, which must figure into Mikel Arteta’s thinking. While the league will be the priority, there is a chance to make some changes earlier in the match should the game suit.

The key changes to the team that faced Liverpool were, in some part, forced. William Saliba left the field with an injury, and we are yet to get a full update on the Frenchman's status despite reports in France that he could be missing for two to three weeks. Cristhian Mosquera truly impressed in his place and is expected to come in here.

Martin Odegaard, meanwhile, returns to the starting line-up to replace Mikel Merino. Another impressive Norway showing over the break gives him the foundation to take his form into the weekend.

In the forward line, Eberechi Eze makes his first start for the Gunners on the left in place of Gabriel Martinelli. The rest of the side remains unchanged, but there is great strength from the bench for Arteta to consider his earlier substitutions.

Changed Arsenal XI vs Nottingham Forest: Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Madueke, Eze, Gyokeres.