Mikel Arteta must start ‘unbelievable’ star vs Nottingham Forest despite latest injury update

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Mikel Arteta has a few key team selection decisions to make for Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest this weekend.

The Gunners will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at the hands of Liverpool before the international break when they entertain Forest on Saturday at the Emirates.

Forest changed their manager this week, with Ange Postecoglou replacing Nuno Espirito Santo in the hot seat at the City Ground.

This change may impact how Arteta instructs his team to play and the personnel he opts to start, given the stylistic differences between the two former Tottenham head coaches.

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William Saliba is in contention to play against Nottingham Forest

William Saliba sustained an injury against Liverpool that forced him to come off the pitch after just four minutes at Anfield.

The initial diagnosis was that the Frenchman would be out for around three weeks, ruling him out of the clash against the East Midlanders.

However, Arteta revealed in his press conference on Friday afternoon that Saliba has returned to training and is now in contention to feature on the weekend.

“William trained today, so we have a decision to make,” the Arsenal boss said.

Saliba has been a key pillar in the Gunners’ back four for several seasons now, and Arteta will no doubt be inclined to throw him straight back into the starting eleven.

With Postecoglou potentially playing a high line, the space in build-up is likely to become compressed, which will prompt Arteta to pick his best in-possession centre-back, which is Saliba.

However, he should have other ideas.

Cristhian Mosquera should start for Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

Arteta suggested that he and his medical staff have a decision to make.

He didn’t definitively say that Saliba is ready to play, and thus, Arsenal should take no risks and keep the 24-year-old protected for future matches against better opposition.

The Gunners take on Manchester City at the Emirates next weekend, and they can’t afford to aggravate their imperious central defender’s ankle by playing him too soon against Forest.

They also have no reason to take this risk. Cristhian Mosquera has been described as ‘unbelievable’ since his remarkable performance against Liverpool two weeks ago.

The Spaniard dominated Hugo Ekitike at Anfield, showcasing that he’s a capable defender who can be trusted to cope in a game against Forest.

Not only has Mosquera merited another start, but Saliba just shouldn’t be rushed back, like he has been in the past.

This will prove to be a litmus test for Arteta in his ability to trust his deep squad.