Saka and Rice out, Trossard missing in worst case scenario for Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

Arsenal have suffered with persistent injury problems this season ahead of facing Nottingham Forest.

Mikel Arteta has been able to work with plenty of his squad over the international break who have not gone away with their respective nations. However, it is still true that injuries are plaguing the side.

For that reason, there could yet be more missing players for the weekend's match. We round up what the Arsenal team could look like if several players miss the game.

David Raya is fit as is both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes who make up three of the back four and goalkeeper positions. With Ben White expected to be out for an undisclosed period of time after a minor procedure, Jurrien Timber is therefore likely to move to right-back.

At left-back there is hope that Riccardo Calafiori recovers from his latest injury issue. However, should he not then Myles Lewis-Skelly who impressed again for England's Under-19s could yet get the nod over Jakub Kiwior or Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Into midfield and Thomas Partey did not join up with Ghana but there has been no suggestion of an injury and so should be available barring any late indications to the contrary. Declan Rice did miss international duty through injury and therefore Mikel Merino will get another start in the hope of improving his own form.

Martin Odegaard might have returned at Chelsea but missed the break with Norway looking to "listen to his body" ahead of what needs to be a recovery period and gradual reintroduction. Leandro Trossard came off injured for Belgium and so could be missing meaning finally Ethan Nwaneri could earn a first Premier League start.

Like Rice, Bukayo Saka missed duty with England and could yet still be out with Gabriel Jesus getting the nod over the disappointing form of Raheem Sterling. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli are both fit to complete the team.

Worst-case Arsenal XI vs Nottingham Forest: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Merino, Nwaneri; Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli.

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