Mikel Arteta has a problem. Honestly, it’s the kind of problem every manager in the Premier League would kill for, but it’s a headache nonetheless. Since we hit January 2026, the discussion around the Arsenal players line up has shifted from "who can they even play?" to "how do you leave these guys out?"
Arsenal is currently sitting pretty at the top of the table, six points clear of City and Villa. But if you think the starting XI is set in stone, you haven't been paying attention to the Sobha Realty Training Centre lately.
The Midfield Tussle: More Than Just Rice and Ødegaard
Most fans still default to the "big three" in the middle. You've got Martin Ødegaard wearing the armband, Declan Rice doing Declan Rice things, and usually one other. But the arrival of Martín Zubimendi has fundamentally changed how this team breathes.
Zubimendi isn't just a backup; he’s basically become the heartbeat of the build-up. When he starts at the base of the midfield, it releases Rice to play as a crashing number eight, which is where we saw him cause absolute chaos in the recent 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Then there’s Eberechi Eze. He’s the wildcard. While some expected him to be a luxury signing, his ability to drift between the lines has made him a frequent starter in games where Arteta expects a low block. It's not a fixed trio anymore. It's a rotation of profiles.
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- The Controller: Martín Zubimendi (No. 36)
- The Engine: Declan Rice (No. 41)
- The Creator: Martin Ødegaard (No. 8)
- The X-Factor: Eberechi Eze (No. 10)
Dealing With the "Swiss Army Knife" Defense
The backline used to be the easiest part of the Arsenal players line up to predict. Saliba and Gabriel in the middle, White on the right. Simple.
Not anymore.
With Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié currently nursing muscle injuries—Arteta was pretty cryptic about their return dates for the Forest game—the versatility of Jurriën Timber has become a lifesaver. Timber has been playing like the world’s best right-back lately, often keeping Ben White on his toes.
And let’s talk about Myles Lewis-Skelly. The kid is 19 and playing with the composure of a 30-year-old veteran. While Calafiori is the "form" choice at left-back, Lewis-Skelly’s ability to tuck into midfield is something Arteta clearly trusts. If you're looking at the squad sheet for the next few weeks, expect to see William Saliba (despite that minor knock) and Gabriel Magalhães as the constants, but the flanks are a total toss-up based on fitness.
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The Gyökeres Impact and the Forward Rotation
The No. 14 shirt carries a lot of weight at Arsenal. Viktor Gyökeres hasn't quite hit a "goal a game" rhythm yet, but his presence has changed the gravity of the front line. He occupies two center-backs at once. This is exactly why Gabriel Martinelli has been able to feast lately, including that clinical hat-trick against Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
Kai Havertz is finally back in the mix too. After a long year out, his 25-minute cameo against "Pompey" showed that he hasn't lost that spatial intelligence. He won't start every game over Gyökeres, but he gives Arteta that "false nine" option that worked so well in 2024.
Then you have Bukayo Saka. He’s the first name on the team sheet. Always. Even with Noni Madueke pushing for minutes on that right side, Saka is the guy. Leandro Trossard remains the ultimate "closer," though a thigh injury has made him a doubt for the trip to the City Ground.
Why the Forest Game is a Tactical Trap
Heading to Nottingham Forest on Saturday isn't just about picking the best players. It's about who is actually left standing. Arteta hinted on Friday morning that he’s waiting on the medical staff for "three or four" players.
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We know Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman are still a few weeks away with ankle issues. If Saliba doesn't pass his late fitness test, we might see a very experimental look with Ben White moving central and Timber staying on the right.
Likely Starting XI for the next match:
David Raya stays in goal—Kepa did okay in the cup but Raya is the No. 1. The back four will probably be Timber, Saliba (if fit), Gabriel, and Lewis-Skelly. Midfield should see the Zubimendi-Rice-Ødegaard trio, with Saka, Gyökeres, and Martinelli leading the charge.
Practical Insights for the Title Run-In
If you're following the Arsenal players line up for fantasy reasons or just to understand the tactical shift, watch the "Inverted" roles. Arteta is no longer just inverting one fullback. Sometimes both Timber and Lewis-Skelly move into the pivot, creating a 2-3-5 shape that is nightmare-fuel for counter-attacking teams like Forest.
Keep an eye on the substitutions around the 60-minute mark. Arteta has been much more aggressive with his bench in 2026, often bringing on Mikel Merino or Christian Nørgaard to lock games down early. The days of the "fixed XI" are over; Arsenal now wins games with their 15th and 16th players just as much as their starters.
To stay ahead of the curve, monitor the Friday afternoon training photos from London Colney. Usually, if a player isn't in the "bibbed" session 24 hours before kickoff, they aren't starting. Focus on the recovery of Hincapié and Calafiori, as their return will allow Arteta to finally rest Gabriel, who has played nearly every minute of the campaign so far.