Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal injury blow with shock team to face Nottingham Forest

Declan Rice is not in the Arsenal team to face Nottingham Forest today despite Mikel Arteta hinting that the midfielder was fit, although Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are cleared to start

Declan Rice has been left out of Arsenal's starting XI for their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates with Mikel Arteta omitting Kai Havertz from his starting XI for the first time since January.

But Mikel Arteta has been boosted by Bukayo Saka's inclusion as the Gunners boss deals with a number of injured stars, while captain Martin Odegaard is also included from the start against Nuno's high-flying Forest.

Leandro Trossard, who was injured while on international duty with Belgium last week, is also cleared to start as part of a front three featuring Gabriel Jesus instead of Havertz in the middle.

Both Rice and Havertz are among the substitutes, with Jorginho also preferred instead of Thomas Partey in central midfielder - either side of Odegaard and Mikel Merino.

Still, the starting selection is a notable curve ball from Arteta, who remains without a number of full backs including Ben White.

Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Jorginho, Merino; Saka, Jesus, Trossard

Nottingham Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Ward-Prowse, Dominguez, Yates; Elanga, Awoniyi, Hudson-Odoi.