Saka set to start at Forest after illness scare against Lille

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Bukayo Saka is poised to return to Arsenal's starting lineup for Sunday's Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest, having been left out of the XI for the midweek Champions League win over Lille due to a minor illness.

Saka was named among the substitutes against Lille before coming off the bench in the second half, where he scored a goal and provided an assist inside six minutes. Mikel Arteta confirmed after the match that the winger had been dealing with illness in the build up to the game, but he is expected to be fit to start at the City Ground, according to the Evening Standard.

Havertz and Odegaard also return

Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard are also set to come back into the starting lineup after being rested for the Lille fixture. Arsenal have already secured two wins from two in this season's Champions League, and with a major clash against Bayern Munich arriving next Wednesday, a heavily rotated side at Forest would be something of a surprise.

Riccardo Calafiori, who was given a full rest in midweek, is expected to start at left back. Eberechi Eze, who scored against Lille, looks to have strengthened his claim for a starting berth, while Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino did not do enough in that match to push their own cases for inclusion this weekend. Noni Madueke remains an option on the left in the continued absence of the injured Christos Tzolis.

At right back, Arteta faces a selection call between Ben White and Jurrien Timber, with White potentially preferred as Timber's minutes continue to be carefully managed following his injury issues. Martin Zubimendi could return to the matchday squad after being a doubt, though Piero Hincapie remains unavailable having suffered an ankle injury in a post-match training session following last weekend's 2-1 win over Leeds.

Saliba edges closer to return

William Saliba is now back in individual training as he continues his recovery from a serious back injury, with hopes growing that he could return to action at some point in November. He remains some way off contention for the matchday squad as things stand.

The predicted Arsenal XI for the trip to the City Ground reads: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes; Saka, Odegaard, Eze; Havertz. Kickoff against Nottingham Forest is at 4:30pm BST on Sunday October 18, with the match shown live on Sky Sports.

Arsenal will be looking to maintain momentum domestically before shifting focus to the visit of Bayern Munich in the Champions League later next week.