Mikel Arteta has to take a gamble on £28m Arsenal star vs Nottingham Forest, he’s ready to explode

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Mikel Arteta will have an incredibly strong Arsenal squad to choose from against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard returned to action before the international break and should be fine to start against Forest, who are only one position behind the Gunners.

After failing to go away with England, Arteta will hope to have both Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice ready as well – two players who have been subject of undeserved criticism of late.

Both had issues prior to the break so weren’t available for their country, a decision that has nothing to do with Lee Carsley, Thomas Tuchel or the title-race.

That being said, Arsenal have the chance to name their strongest midfield for the first time this season.

Mikel Merino can get Arsenal’s title challenge back on track

Although Thomas Partey has delivered some strong performances for Arsenal, it’s hard to argue that Rice isn’t the strongest No.6 at the club.

Arteta has seldom used the England international in the role since he arrived from West Ham, but he now has the options available to do so.

Following Mikel Merino’s excellent cameo against Chelsea, he deserves to start against Forest.

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The Arsenal manager can start Rice just behind Merino and Odegaard for the first time at the Emirates Stadium – a devastating trio.

Arsenal signed Merino for £28m this summer, and despite a fairly slow start, he showed so much presence and quality at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard has had a lot of nearly-moments in an Arsenal shirt so far, but he’s never failed to influence a game when he’s been on the pitch. 

What has Mikel Arteta said about Mikel Merino?

Speaking back in October, Arteta was very complimentary about what Merino could bring to Arsenal.

Merino was at risk of getting the Kai Havertz treatment initially in north London, but it seems as if his Chelsea showing restored the faith a little, and Arteta has clearly been impressed.

He said: “First, he is going to bring an unbelievable football brain. He is so intelligent, the way he decides, he occupies spaces, he makes decisions and it is very rare to see that.

“He is a really talented player in every phase – defending and attacking.

“He can do things that compliments really well with the qualities we have in midfield. [He will bring] physicality, for sure, and then he is a big threat.

“The moment he is in the opponent’s box, you see that he is a big, big threat.”