Arsenal’s Premier League campaign reaches another important stage when they travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Mikel Arteta faces a delicate balancing act: maintaining domestic momentum while managing injuries and preserving freshness ahead of next Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich.
Arsenal’s defensive options are limited by several absences. William Saliba remains sidelined with a back injury and is yet to feature this season, while Christos Tzolis is out with a muscle injury sustained on international duty with Greece. Piero Hincapie is also expected to miss the trip after suffering an ankle injury, with Arteta indicating the defender is likely to need another week or two before returning.
The most significant doubt surrounds Martin Zubimendi. The midfielder picked up an ankle injury in training and missed Arsenal’s win over Lille, but Arteta said he was “very hopeful” Zubimendi would be available at the City Ground. A final decision was expected after Arsenal’s final training session before the match.
Arteta’s predicted XI reflects both the injury situation and the need to rotate. David Raya is expected to start in goal behind Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel Magalhães, and Riccardo Calafiori. With Saliba and Hincapie unavailable, Konsa is likely to partner Gabriel at centre-back, while White’s experience at right-back could be important against Forest’s direct approach.
In midfield, Declan Rice is set to anchor the side, with Bruno Guimarães or Myles Lewis-Skelly possible partners depending on whether Zubimendi is passed fit. Further forward, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and either Eberechi Eze or Noni Madueke are expected to support Kai Havertz in attack.
Saka’s involvement is a major boost for Arsenal. He came off the bench against Lille and scored and assisted within six minutes, reminding Arteta of his ability to change a match quickly. His expected return to the starting lineup gives Arsenal greater cutting edge as they look to break down a Forest side that has struggled to create chances in the final third.
Arteta is expected to use a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Arsenal aiming to control possession and exploit the wide areas. Havertz’s ability to hold up play and link with Saka and Ødegaard will be central to that plan, while Madueke’s versatility offers an alternative if Arteta chooses to rotate his attacking options.
The fixture carries added significance because of what follows. Arsenal face Bayern Munich away in the Champions League next Wednesday, making squad management and fitness decisions against Forest particularly important. A positive result at the City Ground would keep Arsenal’s domestic campaign on track, but Arteta must ensure his side arrive at the European fixture with key players fit and ready.
