Arsenal: 3 things to look out for vs Nottingham Forest

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures on the touchline during the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Arsenal and Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 21, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 01: Salah Oulad M’Hand of Arsenal celebrates scoring their team’s second goal during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal U23 and Brighton & Hove Albion U23 at Emirates Stadium on October 01, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images) /

2. Using the Five Substitutes With Academy Chances Given

It’s highly likely that Charlie Patino will feature against Nottingham Forest, quite possibly from the start, but there could also be a host of other exciting young talents set for involvement based on Friday’s events.

The Under-23 side drew 1-1 away at Brighton on Friday with a squad missing a host of its usual crop. There was no Kido Taylor-Hart, Tim Akinola, Patino or Salah Oulad M’Hand, which effectively confirms the involvement of at least two of them.

Arteta’s squad is vanishing before his very eyes and of all the young stars set to profit from that, Patino stands out must. But that is doing him an injustice. Even with more players available, the 18-year-old stood a very strong chance of involvement.

He’s not alone either, and the hope is that one or two more senior debuts could be handed out this Sunday. It would help, of course, if the game state is positive going into the second half to boost their chances, but with the squad paper thin as it is and there being five substitutes to use in the match there is no reason not to see some new faces in the senior set up.

Benches are also able to hold nine players. 3-0 half-time lead and a flurry of youngsters? Why not.

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