Saka, Havertz and Odegaard return as Arsenal make five changes for Forest

Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are back in Arsenal’s starting XI for the Premier League visit to Nottingham Forest, giving the visitors all three in attack from the start. Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori also return, making five changes from the midweek home win over Lille.

Eberechi Eze keeps his place and makes his first Premier League start of the season. Martin Zubimendi, who has recovered from injury, is on the bench. Jurrien Timber is also among the substitutes and will make his 100th Arsenal appearance if he comes on.

Arsenal’s starting XI is David Raya, White, Gabriel, Ezri Konsa, Calafiori, Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, Odegaard, Eze, Saka and Havertz. Kepa Arrizabalaga is out with an injury, so Illan Meslier is named as the substitute goalkeeper.

Forest make two changes after last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace. Morgan Gibbs-White misses out through injury, while Ola Aina drops to the bench. Nicolas Dominguez and Jair Cunha come into the side.

The Forest XI is Matz Sels, Murillo, Murillo, Diomande, Dominguez, Neco Williams, Alex Moreno, Ibrahim Sangare, James McAtee, Cunha, Ndoye and Delap. Their substitutes include Aina, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood and Ryan Yates.

Forest sit 17th with five points from six games: one win, two draws and three defeats. Arsenal’s returning trio gives them a stronger set of attacking options from the opening whistle, while Zubimendi provides another option from the bench. Kick-off at the City Ground is 16:30 BST on Sunday 18 October.