Mikel Arteta must ignore Eberechi Eze temptation and start ‘fastest’ Arsenal star after Nottingham Forest update

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Arsenal are hopeful of returning to winning ways in the Premier League as they take on Nottingham Forest after the international break.

The Gunners registered two wins in their opening fixtures, but a defeat to Liverpool late on in a huge clash at the top has handed Mikel Arteta an early setback.

There are plenty of games to come before the Premier League title is wrapped up, though, as Arsenal look to bounce back quickly.

Next up is a match against Nottingham Forest, which appears to be another tough match on the face of it.

However, the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo is set to be followed by Ange Postecoglou’s arrival at Nottingham Forest.

That could bring with it a very quick stylistic change for Forest, something Arsenal will be looking to take advantage of.

If that is the case, then Arteta may need to make a tweak to the team and hold off on making one obvious change.

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Mikel Arteta must start Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing over Eberechi Eze for Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

The arrival of Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest will very quickly throw any pre-match plans into chaos for Arsenal.

While training is likely to have been based around how to beat a low block at the Emirates Stadium, they could now be greeted with the total opposite.

Postecoglou brings with him an intense pressing style, looking to squeeze the opposition with a high defensive line.

While it may be something different, it could suit certain players at Arsenal.

One of those could be Gabriel Martinelli, who struggled against Liverpool last time out, but could have a field day against the Forest backline.

Given the Brazilian’s difficulties, it would be natural for Arteta to be tempted by a full debut for Eberechi Eze, who has a real creative flair to his game.

But, when it comes to facing up a backline like Nottingham Forest have under Postecoglou’s style, it only points towards having pace to be direct at them.

Martinelli makes the most sense for this reason, with Fotmob registering him as the fastest Arsenal player this season, clocking in at 35.5 kilometres per hour.

That also makes him the fourth-quickest in the Premier League so far this campaign, only behind Jeremie Frimpong, Micky van de Ven and Anthony Gordon.

It certainly puts all of the ingredients in place to play Martinelli ahead of Eze to face this type of opposition.

However, it remains to be seen whether Arteta will favour that approach or if he looks to give his new signing a chance to impress at home.

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Mikel Arteta’s record vs Ange Postecoglou so far

With Arteta set to face off with Postecoglou once again, it’s worth looking at how the two have fared against one another in previous meetings.

Over his two years at Tottenham, the incoming Nottingham Forest manager took on Arsenal four times.

The Gunners picked up three wins and one draw, with Postecoglou failing to inflict a defeat upon them in that time.

Arsenal scored eight goals over those four matches, while Tottenham scored five times, making for some intense encounters.

With a totally new style likely to come in, it remains to be seen whether Forest could shock the hosts with their new manager bounce or if it all falls apart at the first hurdle.