Predicting how Arsenal will lineup against Nottingham Forrest

There have been three additions to the squad and one more in the form of David Raya about to join. In the exits, we have confirmed Xhaka and Turner while we also know that Pepe, Lokonga, Tavarez and Holding will not be a part of the setup.

Mo Elneny is not one of my favourite players but he seems to have accepted that he will wind down his days at Arsenal and well, he trains with the first team to earn his wages. He's also not on significant wages, so having his positive energy around won't do any damage to the squad.

On Sunday, we got a glimpse of where we are as a squad and also saw an interesting lineup that faced Manchester City. It's a setup that I predicted we'd use from the moment Declan Rice joined the team and one that I suspect we'll use fairly regularly moving forward.

Many people predicted that Dec's addition will see the end of Partey's time at Arsenal but again, I always knew that all it would do is highlight how important the Ghanaian is to our setup. He showed this very fact against Manchester City in what was a very composed showing at Wembley.

Despite what the scorelines and results show, our matches against Manchester City tend to be technical battles by two managers cut from the same cloth. The main battle typically happens in the midfield and whoever manages to control that area usually controls the flow of the game.

The backline

If this were last season, guessing our back four would be very easy. However, with recent additions and some returns from injury, it is hard to actually determine who starts.

This is a curtain opener, so you'd expect that Arteta will go for a very strong back four against Nottingham Forrest. However, with a mix of players all vying for positions and all capable of giving Forrest a run for their money, determining who starts isn't quite as easy as it may seem.

If I were to guess how the backline shapes, I'd go with the same names that started against Manchester City. So that will be White-Saliba-Gabriel-Timber in a back four with Timber inverting.

At the same time though, I won't be too surprised if Tomiyasu comes in place of either Ben White or Timber. I doubt there will be space for either Zinchenko, Kiwior and Tierney. Either way, it looks like our back four will be solid.

Midfield Trio

Just like the backline, there could be some change in the midfield but it would only be in two positions because I can't imagine Odegard not starting. He's the main creative force in the team and we rely on his incisive passes to open up defences.

The two remaining midfield positions have Partey, Jorginho and Rice vying for the Lone 6 positions. Then in the left "8" position there's a host of names that includes Trossard, Havertz, Rice, Smithe Rowe, and Vieira.

Just like the backline, I believe pretty much any combination would suffice. However, I believe that it is important to start the season strongly, we'd go with a more attacking setup in midfield.

I expect our midfield to be Partey as the Lone 6, Havertz in the left 8 and Odegard as the right 8. Yes, it might sound crazy but I think Rice will be on the bench. Well, it might also be the case that Rice replaces either Havertz or Partey in the lineup but right now, it's tilting more towards Havertz because Partey is too important to the way we play.

Front Three

The attackers are a bit more predictable but with Trossard looking brilliant once again and Martinelli not stealing the opportunity in the game against City, it might not be out of the question to see the Belgian get the nod over Martinelli.

Bukayo Saka's spot is nailed but the remaining two spots are certainly not. Eddie Nketiah had a brief cameo against City and will be relishing the opportunity to show his worth in the absence of Jesus.

Kai Havertz filled in as a false 9 and while he missed two sitters, his positioning was exquisite. As I said earlier, Martinelli has competition from Trossard and then there's also Smithe Rowe waiting for a chance.

My hunch is that Eddie Nketiah starts ahead of Havertz and Balogun that is certainly on his way out. Saka obviously starts and on the left, we'll continue with Martinelli. The only surprise I can see coming in is that Trossard gets the nod over either Nketiah or Martinelli.

So, here's how I think Arsenal lines up against Nottingham Forrest in game week 1;

GK: Ramsdale
Def: White Saliba Gabriel Timber
Mid: Partey Havertz Odegard
Att: Saka Nketiah Martinelli

It's lovely to know that there are a variety of ways that we can lineup and we'd still have a strong enough squad to take on any team in the league. It is up to the boys to start strong and give us an entertaining tie. Until we meet again, up the Arsenal.