Arsenal will have Bukayo Saka back in their starting lineup to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The England winger was initially named on the bench for the midweek victory over Lille in the Champions League, before coming on in the second half and registering a goal and an assist within six minutes.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed after the match that Saka had been dealing with a minor illness issue, but he is expected to be ready to start against Forest in the Premier League.

Forward Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard are also set to return to the Gunners’ starting lineup at the City Ground.

Arsenal have a huge Champions League clash with Bayern Munich to come in Germany on Wednesday night.

However, with two European wins already under their belts this season, it would be a surprise if Arteta named a weakened side at Forest in preparation for that match.

That means that Riccardo Calafiori is expected to start in the Midlands, having been given a full rest against Lille on Tuesday.

Quick impact: Bukayo Saka shone off the bench for Arsenal against Lille in the Champions League

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Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino did not do enough to push their cases for more starts, but Eberechi Eze did score in that routine victory.

With Noni Madueke also offering a threat when he has been used off the left, Arteta has a decision to make in the continued absence of the injured Christos Tzolis, who he hopes to have back in the next few weeks following a hamstring issue suffered playing for Greece.

There is also a difficult call to make regarding Ben White and Jurrien Timber at right-back, with White potentially getting the nod against Forest as Timber’s minutes continue to be managed carefully after his injury problems.

Martin Zubimendi could return to the squad, but Piero Hincapie remains unavailable after also suffering an ankle injury during a disastrous post-match training session that followed last weekend’s 2-1 win over Leeds at the Emirates Stadium.

Long-term absentee William Saliba is now back in individual training following a serious back injury suffered at the World Cup amid hopes that a return could await at some point in November, but he is still some way off being in contention as things stand.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes; Saka, Odegaard, Eze; Havertz

Injured: Saliba, Hincapie, Tzolis

Doubt: Zubimendi

Time and date: 4:30pm BST on Sunday October 18, 2026

Venue: City Ground

How to watch: Sky Sports