Arsenal are ready to welcome back their first-team stars from around the globe as the international break comes to an end.
Mikel Arteta would have been holding his breath over his Arsenal squad returning to the club with a clean bill of health following injuries to the likes of Bukayo Saka and William Saliba already.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was left out of England’s squad against Serbia due to ‘tactical and physical’ reasons but should be available for the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest.
Noni Madueke stole the show for the Three Lions with an excellent performance capped off with an assist but pundit Stuart Pearce has praised another Gunners star for their performance on international duty.
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Stuart Pearce compares Declan Rice to a ‘lion’ following latest England display
Speaking on the ‘talkSPORT Daily’ podcast, former England defender Pearce has praised Declan Rice for his pressing ability during his country’s 5-0 demolition of Serbia.
Rice produced two assists in the match but it was his tenacity and aggression in midfield that caught the eye – something he has really developed under Arteta.
Pearce stated: “Declan playing further up the pitch as well in these two games is a real bonus. We’ve seen him, A, turn up in the box and get on the end of things and score, but we’ve also seen him pressing from the front.
“It’s been a slight criticism of mine as well. I don’t think we press particularly well as a team. If you push Declan further forward, all of a sudden that dynamic changes.
“He hunts people down like a lion, you know. So that’s a real bonus.”
Rice’s movement for England was also noticeable during the break with the midfielder attacking the back post more frequently than he does for the Gunners.
He produced his best season in front of goal last year and Arteta has already challenged the £105m man to beat that total again this campaign.
Brazil hand Mikel Arteta a boost before Nottingham Forest clash
With Ange Postecoglou’s appointment, Nottingham Forest will pose a tricky challenge for Arteta’s side upon the resumption of the Premier League.
However, the Arsenal boss was handed a small boost by Carlo Ancelotti after the Brazil manager chose not to include Gabriel Magalhaes or Gabriel Martinelli during their 1-0 defeat to Bolivia.
Although the duo will feel jaded after travelling to South America, they would have had a small rest this week before potentially being called upon for the Forest test.
With Saliba’s injury return unknown, Gabriel will take the reins as the leader of the defence, whilst Martinelli is under pressure from Eberechi Eze for the starting berth at left wing.
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