Arsenal predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest - Premier League | OneFootball

While the majority are now labelling Liverpool as the champions elect following a significant weekend of Premier League action, Mikel Arteta has defiantly asserted that his team will not roll over in the title 'race'.

Injuries in attack rendered an assault from north London unlikely, and the Gunners now have a huge 11-point deficit to make up after their defeat to West Ham United was followed up by Liverpool beating Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The margins are so fine for this Arsenal side, and a daunting challenge awaits in midweek. Nottingham Forest have evolved the City Ground into a fortress-like environment, and they'll be smelling blood under the lights despite enduring back-to-back defeats.

Here's the Arsenal team Arteta could pick for Wednesday's game.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest (4-3-3)

Raheem Sterling could return to Mikel Arteta's starting XI / Julian Finney/GettyImages

GK: David Raya - There was no shutout for Raya last week, but at least Golden Glove leader Matz Sels, whom he faces off against on Wednesday, failed to extend his advantage over the current holder of the award on Sunday.

RB: Jurrien Timber - Timber has been relentlessly used in 2025 but may have another start in him as Ben White continues to be eased back into the fold.

CB: William Saliba - The Frenchman is a sure bet to continue in the starting XI, and his recovery pace will be hugely important against a speedy Forest attack.

CB: Gabriel - With Chris Wood unlikely to do too much channel running, Gabriel should see plenty of the New Zealander in the Forest box. Taming the prolific forward will be one of the keys for the visitors.

LB: Riccardo Calafiori - Calafiori will have to produce a sturdier defensive display in midweek after struggling on Saturday. The Italian gets in by default with Myles Lewis-Skelly serving a one-game suspension.

DM: Declan Rice - Rice enters this contest off the back of a poor showing against his former club, and perhaps we'll see Arteta ditch the idea of the Englishman as a box crasher on Wednesday.

CM: Mikel Merino - The Spaniard wasn't awful at the weekend, but West Ham knew what was coming and dealt with the gimmick well. Merino may offer more on Wednesday in a midfield role.

CM: Martin Odegaard - The captain's starting to come under fire from his own supporters, and he desperately needs a big performance to help shift the narrative despite receiving his manager's backing.

RW: Ethan Nwaneri - Who knows where Arteta would've turned had Nwaneri picked up a more significant injury on Saturday. Fortunately, the teenager was just dealing with cramp and will be available.

ST: Leandro Trossard - Liverpool have had success in the absence of a centre-forward on Sunday, and Arteta could adopt a similar-ish approach against Forest's brutish centre-halves. Arsenal can't go toe-to-toe physically against this defence.

LW: Raheem Sterling - Sterling does have a good record against Forest, scoring four in five games, and Arteta cannot yet give up on the veteran just because he's yet to find any sort of rhythm during his loan spell.