Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal were back to winning ways this weekend after managing to take just a points from their first encounter in the Champions league this campaign. They managed to put 4 past a hapless Hull City side on Saturday and are currently in the 4th place in the points table after 5 games into the season. However, they will now have to turn their attention towards another tournament in the League Cup as they will face Nottingham Forest in their first domestic cup fixture of the campaign. They travel to the City Ground in Nottingham on Tuesday and will hope to get out of the game without much fuzz.
Team News
The likes of Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck are both out injured for a long time while Olivier Giroud, Yaya Sanogo, and Carl Jenkinson are all close to recovery but may not play a role in this game. However, the manager has some good news ahead of this game with Aaron Ramsey and Gabriel Paulista back fit and ready for a game this mid-week. Here is the strongest lineup that Gunners can field on the night against Nottingham Forest.
Goal Keeper
David Ospina
Though Cech has been decent in goal for the Gunners this season, Ospina has been patiently waiting for a place in the first team and this cup game will be good chance to give him some game time.
Defense
Rob Holding
Having started games for Arsenal early this season, Holding has fallen down the pecking order after Mustafi’s addition but he will get his place in the starting XI back this weekend in the League Cup game.
Shkodran Mustafi
The German international is relatively new to the English game and will need as much experience as possible going into the crunch part of the season. He will keep his place in the squad for this game.
Gabriel Paulista
With Koscielny playing almost every minute of the league (after the Liverpool game), Gabriel, who is now back fit , should relieve him of his duties and take his place at the back at the heart of the Arsenal defense.
Kieran Gibbs
Another player who got a look in early this season, Gibbs, has not been able to keep his place in the side this season but will get a chance to prove himself on the night in the League Cup.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka
Slowly gaining some form, the summer buy for Arsenal will take his place in the midfield as he tries to get used to the English style of play since his move to the club this summer.
Mohamed Elneny
Having impressed the manager in his debut season in the league and also in the pre-season, Elneney has not been able to find a place in the starting XI for Arsenal but will start this game against Forest this midweek.
Theo Walcott
Slowly gaining some form, Walcott, found the back of the net in the weekend against Hull and will hope to give his side an easy passage in the League Cup when he faces Forest on Tuesday.
Alex Iwobi
Having got himself a place in the starting XI constantly this season, Iwobi, might be given yet another chance to get some form as he will hope to have a bigger impact on the game than he did recently.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Was an unused sub in the game against Hull City and will most definitely start on the flank for the Gunners on the night against Nottingham Forest.
Attack
Lucas Perez
The new summer signing did not look too bad in the couple of chances he got this season but his best chance of proving himself will be in this game against Forest in the League Cup on Tuesday.
