Arsenal visit the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
The Gunners sit second behind league leaders Liverpool, who have played a game more than Mikel Arteta’s men, but have an eleven-point buffer at the summit.
The Merseysiders host Newcastle at Anfield, in a clash that the North Londoners will need the Magpies to triumph in.
Arsenal lost at home to West Ham on Saturday, producing a dismal display that has sparked calls for Arteta to lose his job.
The Spanish manager confirmed that Nwaneri will be fit to face Forest, while Ben White could be in line for his first start since returning from injury.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Nottingham Forest
Arsenal will be without Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka once again, with all four forwards remaining sidelined with various injury issues.
This means Arteta will be forced to pick a makeshift front line for the third match running.
David Raya will retain his place in goal, while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes pick themselves at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
Meanwhile, Arteta faces a conundrum at full-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly suspended.
Riccardo Calafiori was poor against West Ham, and Gunners fans will be concerned about the Italian’s prospects up against the speedy Anthony Elanga.
Thus, it would be no surprise to see Jurrien Timber move over to the left to negate Elanga, with White coming in on the right.
Meanwhile, both Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice were out of sorts against the Hammers, but will both likely retain their places alongside Thomas Partey.
As for the front three, expect Arteta to ditch the Merino as a nine experiment after how it played out against Graham Potter’s outfit.
The tactician will likely resort to the three natural attackers forming the front-line, in Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri.
Sterling was diabolical against Leicester but has shown glimpses that he still has something left in him at various points this season.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Forest: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling.
- READ MORE: Mikel Arteta drops Ethan Nwaneri injury update ahead of Arsenal clash with Nottingham Forest
Mikel Arteta should consider Riccardo Calafiori as a winger option off the bench against Forest
While Calafiori’s vulnerability in defending one-on-one in isolated wide areas means he probably shouldn’t start as a full-back against Forest, the former Bologna man ought to be considered as a genuine option in the forward-line.
Sterling will likely start, but given his recent performances, Arteta will want a viable option off the bench to replace the Chelsea loanee if things aren’t working.
Calafiori is the most realistic candidate, with his boisterous personality, powerful running and willingness to try difficult things potentially making him an unpredictable and chaotic force to throw on late in games.
Kieran Tierney may possess the crossing ability that makes him more accustomed to the left-wing, while Oleksandr Zinchenko boasts the technical guile on the ball, but neither have the frantic physicality that Calafiori has, that could push the Gunners over the line.
It’s a desperate call, but one that is warranted in the circumstances.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
