Declan Rice fails to make the starting lineup for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, but Bukayo Saka is in the first XI alongside Jorginho.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has not made the starting lineup for the Gunners’ Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at the Emirates, but Mikel Arteta has sprung a couple of surprises.
The England international was one of a few injury doubts before the visit of the Tricky Trees, alongside Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori, all of whom have made the first XI.
However, Rice has only been considered for a spot among the replacements, as has fellow regular Thomas Partey, which means Jorginho unexpectedly partners Mikel Merino in the deeper midfield slots.
Arteta has also dropped Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli from the starting lineup, instead selecting Trossard and Gabriel Jesus to link up with Saka in the final third, but Calafiori is fit enough to start at left-back as Jurrien Timber starts on the right in place of the injured Ben White.
More to follow.
Arsenal starting lineup: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Jorginho, Merino; Saka, Jesus, Trossard
Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Partey, Rice, Sterling, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Havertz
Nottingham Forest starting lineup: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Dominguez; Elanga, Ward-Prowse, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi
Subs: Miguel, Morato, Williams, Wood, Toffolo, Jota, Sosa, Boly, Da Silva Moreira
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