The first Premier League fixture back after the international break is an eagerly-anticipated clash between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, made more interesting by the appointment of Ange Postecoglou at the City Ground.
Former Tottenham manager Postecoglou replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest this week and his first assignment is a return to North London to face Arsenal.
All eyes will be on Postecoglou and the style he adopts at Forest, especially as there has been some discontent towards Espirito Santo’s harsh sacking.
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Ange Postecoglou unveiled as Nottingham Forest boss
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Postecoglou will help his cause by getting off to a winning start at Arsenal, but the combination of his personal record against Mikel Arteta’s side and Forest’s longer-term form at the Gunners doesn’t bode well.
Nottingham Forest haven’t beaten Arsenal away since 1989, and never in the Premier League
If Postecoglou can lead Forest to a win at Arsenal, he will be making club history as the first Forest manager to win an away game at Arsenal in the Premier League era.
Arsenal are unbeaten against Forest in their last 14 home games in all competitions, going back until March 1989, and Arsenal have won their last six home games against Saturday’s opponents at an aggregate score of 19-2.
In fact, Forest’s only two Premier League wins over Arsenal from 16 total meetings have come at the City Ground, making Postecoglou’s task significantly more difficult.
Forest come into the game with five defeats in their last 11 games, while Postecoglou has lost three and drawn one of his four meetings with Arsenal while manager at Tottenham.
Ange Postecoglou has clear route to improving Nottingham Forest and imposing his pressing style
If Postecoglou wants to get off to a good start at Forest, he can start by shoring up their defence, although key man Ola Aina is reportedly set for a spell on the sidelines.
Tottenham Hotspur FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
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Forest have gone 11 games without keeping a clean sheet in the Premier League, while they have gone nine away games in a row without stopping the opposition from scoring.
Postecoglou’s Tottenham side often relied on an attack-first principle with a high press, and he says he will not abandon that approach with his new squad.
Given Forest’s record at Arsenal and their recent form, perhaps Postecoglou’s attack-first style will be the change needed to make history on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium.