Mikel Arteta revealed after the match that Saka had been dealing with a minor illness issue, but he starts against Forest in the Premier League.
Forward Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard also return to the Gunners’ starting lineup at the City Ground.
Riccardo Calafiori starts in the Midlands, having been given a full rest against Lille on Tuesday.
Quick impact: Bukayo Saka shone off the bench for Arsenal against Lille in the Champions League
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Bruno Guimaraes is in midfield with Declan Rice, while Eberechi Eze gets a rare start on the left.
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes; Saka, Odegaard, Eze; Havertz
Subs: Meslier, Mosquera, Timber, Gyokeres, Madueke, Merino, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman
Injured: Saliba, Hincapie, Tzolis
Time and date: 4:30pm BST on Sunday October 18, 2026
Venue: City Ground
How to watch: Sky Sports