Mikel Arteta explains shock Arsenal selection calls against Nottingham Forest as Kai Havertz is benched in the Premier League for first time since January

The Gunners are back in action after the international break against high-flying Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and aiming to end a poor run of results and pick up a first victory in the competition since a win over struggling Southampton at the start of October. Arteta has raised a few eyebrows with his team selection for the match at the Emirates after deciding to shuffle his pack and make five changes to his team.

Havertz has been left on the bench, for the first time in the Premier League since they last played Forest on January 30, along with Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey and Declan Rice. Arteta has brought fit-again Riccardo Calafiori back into his XI as well as Jorginho, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus.

Arteta offered a brief explanation of his thinking before kick-off. He said: "We're showing trust to the whole squad and dealing with some issues that are not allowing certain players to start."

Arsenal are set for a testing run of fixtures at home and abroad in the coming weeks. After hosting Forest, the Gunners travel to Sporting in the Champions League and then head back for Premier League fixtures against West Ham and Manchester United.