In a surprising twist to the opening fixture of Arsenal's 2023/24 season, the Emirates Stadium witnessed an unexpected role reversal for midfielder Thomas Partey.
Deployed at an unusual position of right back, the Ghanaian midfielder found himself at the heart of an unforeseen tactical shift.
However, the much-anticipated clash against Nottingham Forest faced an unforeseen delay, as the game was halted due to technical difficulties with the stadium's turnstiles.
As the clock ticked on, speculation continues surrounding Thomas Partey's future, with talks of a potential move to Italian giants Juventus or a venture into the Saudi Pro League.
The speculation gained momentum following the high-profile arrival of Declan Rice for a staggering 105 million pounds from West Ham, prompting questions about the role and future of Partey at the club.
Declan Rice starts in midfield alongside Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
Eddie Nketiah leads Arsenal's attack against Nottingham Forest alongside Saka and Martinelli.
Below is the starting XI:
