Arsenal face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, and Mikel Arteta has surprised many fans.
The Gunners are winless in their last four Premier League games. Things have not been great recently, and this game against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side is almost a must-win.
Arsenal fans were all expecting Arteta to name a strong lineup for the clash at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but the Spaniard has made a few surprise decisions.
Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz are all on the bench. They have made way for Jorginho, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trosard and Gabriel Jesus to start.
Rice’s recent injury issues is why he is on the bench, but the decision to leave out Partey, Martinelli and Havertz has come as a real shock to Arsenal fans.
This was definitely not the starting lineup they were expecting to see against Forest.
Arsenal fans react to Mikel Arteta’s team selection vs Nottingham Forest
Arsenal fans all know just how important a game this this. They simply cannot afford to go 12 points behind Liverpool.
A strong lineup was what everyone wanted, which is why all the supporters are left scratching their heads after seeing Arteta’s team news.
One confused Arsenal fan tweeted: “Jesus and Trossard. Yo Arteta, what are you up to?”
Another tweeted: “Why Are both Trossard and Jesus starting? This is a must-win and we are starting a guy who only cooks off the bench and a guy who refuses to shoot. They better prove me wrong or Arteta has some explaining to do!”
“Jesus starting?! Arteta isn’t helping himself,” tweeted another.
Another worried fan said: “Arteta starting Gabriel Jesus against an in-form opponent is a serious gamble.”
“Trossard Starting?? Jesus over Havertz??? Arteta has gone experimental again on the team that could go above us if they beat us,” wrote another.
This could be a make-or-break game for one Arsenal star
No Arsenal fan would’ve expected to see Jesus start up front ahead of Havertz.
The Brazilian has had a really tough period because of injuries. His confidence isn’t great and his recent performances have been really poor as well.
Havertz has proven to be a much better choice up front, but Arteta has seen something that has convinced him to deploy Jesus against Forest.
We really hope that the former Manchester City man can step up and deliver. He definitely has the quality, but whether he can actually produce the goods is the real question.
If Jesus fails today, we have a feeling his Arsenal career could be done.
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