Eze and Madueke start, Saliba call – Mikel Arteta’s strongest Arsenal XI vs Nottingham Forest Here we take a look at what could be Mikel Arteta’s strongest Arsenal XI to take on Nottingham Forest after the international break

The first international break of the season is upon us and that means Premier League action has come to a brief halt. Arsenal have won two out of their three games so far and sit third after the opening few weeks of the campaign.

A 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday has been the Gunners’ only negative so far, while injuries to key players such as Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz have also not helped Mikel Arteta. The hope will be no fresh injuries occur during the next 10 days or so.

Arteta’s team will be aiming to get back to winning ways next time out when they welcome Nottingham Forest to Emirates Stadium on Saturday, September 13. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been inconsistent so far this term and go into the fixture on the back of a 3-0 loss to West Ham.

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It’s possible some of Arsenal’s summer signings are handed full debuts in the fixture, but what exactly will the team look like? football.london takes a look at the strongest XI for the match right here.

David Raya, as ever, will start in the net for Arsenal and the Spaniard will be hoping to keep his third clean sheet of the season against Forest. In front of him it will most probably be a back four of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori, although a lot depends on the fitness of Saliba, who limped off after just five minutes against Liverpool.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “He twisted his ankle during the warm-up and he came in and he said he believed that he could carry on and play but he strayed away in the first two actions. I could see that he couldn’t cope and we had to get him out, unfortunately.”

Cristhian Mosquera came on in Saliba’s place and looked comfortable alongside Gabriel. The 21-year-old will likely play instead of Saliba if the former Marseille man does not recover in time.

Into midfield and Arteta will likely go with what is seen as his strongest trio in the form of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Christian Norgaard could make his first matchday squad of the season if he returns to fitness, but he will likely need to settle for a place on the bench.

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The forward line is where things could get interesting. Viktor Gyokeres is a shoe-in to start in the No.9 role and will be hoping to add to his two goals in three games. Noni Madueke could continue on the right in place of the injured Saka, who may well return for the following week’s match against Manchester City.

Gabriel Martinelli started on the left against Liverpool but was largely ineffective. Eberechi Eze could be handed his first start as an Arsenal player against Nottingham Forest and you would back the £67.5million man to have an immediate impact.

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