Arsenal's Lineup Puzzle: Unlocking the Secrets of the Starting XI
In a highly anticipated Premier League clash, Arsenal FC faces Nottingham Forest, and the lineup predictions are heating up. But here's where it gets intriguing: with a quartet of injured players, the Arsenal camp is keeping everyone guessing.
Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, was recently quizzed about the potential return of Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera, and Max Dowman. His response? "There might be a chance, but I need to consult with the medical team first. We'll see who's available for the weekend's game."
Arteta's words leave us with more questions than answers. Who exactly could make a comeback? And will it impact the starting lineup significantly?
For the right-back position, Arteta has a decision to make. He could opt for Jurrien Timber, or he might choose to deploy him on the left, allowing Ben White to take the right-back spot. It's a tactical dilemma that adds an extra layer of excitement to the pre-match build-up.
Here's our predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
But here's the catch: Hincapie, Calafiori, Mosquera, and Dowman are all injury doubts. Will they make it in time for the game?
The match is scheduled for 5:30 pm GMT on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the City Ground in Nottingham. Catch all the action live on TNT Sports.
And this is the part most people miss: the tactical decisions and lineup choices can make or break a game. So, who do you think will start for Arsenal? Will Arteta's decisions pay off? Let's discuss in the comments and share your predictions!