Ange Postecoglou returns to management and takes his Nottingham Forest side to the Emirates to renew his rivalry with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta.
The international break has been kind to Arsenal ahead of the game against Nottingham Forest, as not only did the round of games cause no fresh injury concerns, but the players were in top form. Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Noni Madueke, and Declan Rice were all brilliant for their national sides, and Mikel Arteta will want that momentum taken to Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at the Emirates against Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal suffered their first loss of the season before the break, with a wonderful free-kick from Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai proving to be the difference between the two sides at Anfield. In the context of the title race, it is very early in the season, and while Arteta has come under scrutiny for playing ‘negative’ football, there is plenty of time to rectify that tag.
Arsenal kick-start a tough period in their season with a home game against Nottingham Forest and then Manchester City, with a trip to Bilbao to face Athletic Club squeezed between those games. Arteta will want his side to kick on and not let dragged as the season enters a crucial stage, and he will demand a win at the Emirates on Saturday.
While things have been quiet over at Arsenal, it was the total opposite at Nottingham Forest. Firebrand owner Evangelos Marinakis took a bold decision to sack Nuno Espirito Santo during the break and wasted no time in installing former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou in his place.
Much has been spoken during the fortnight of no club football about Forest and how they will fare under Postecoglou. The biggest subject has been the Australian tactician’s playing style compared to the pragmatic approach former manager Nuno Espirito Santo had at Forest, which will be an interesting viewing come Saturday.
As for their form, Nottingham Forest had a stellar opening game with a 3-1 win over Brentford before struggling with a draw away at Crystal Palace and enduring a terrible home defeat to a struggling West Ham United. Three late goals from the Hammers left the Forest faithful stunned, with the game proving to be Espirito Santo’s last contribution at the City Ground. However, Postecoglou has a rather difficult start away at Emirates, a venue he never conquered during his spell with Tottenham Hotspur.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Mikel Aeteta will be pleased that some of his injured stars have eased back in, with Ben White and Christian Norgaard resuming full training. There are doubts about Bukayo Saka and William Saliba’s participation for the game against Nottingham Forest, and there might be a chance for the influential duo to feature against Manchester City next weekend.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain long-term casualties, but beyond those, Arteta should have a strong enough squad to choose from this Saturday. Cristhian Mosquera impressed when he replaced Saliba early at Anfield, and he should assume a role at the heart of the defence alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.
Despite Ben White’s return to training, Jurrien Timber is expected to start at right-back, while the in-form Riccardo Calafiori takes the left-back spot. New signing Piero Hincapie and teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly are options for Arteta on the left-hand side of the defence, with the duo likely to get minutes off the bench.
Meanwhile, Arteta came under a bit of scrutiny for his midfield selections at Anfield, but this time around, he might keep the in-form Merino on the bench despite his hat-trick for Spain. Eberechi Eze could get his full Arsenal debut against Nottingham Forest, while Odegaard is expected to return to the lineup. Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line, with Madueke deputising for Saka on the right wing.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Odegaard, Eze; Gyokeres
Nottingham Forest
Much has been spoken about Ange Postecoglou’s potential tactics for Nottingham Forest, with the Australian tactician revered for playing a high line while at Tottenham. However, this Forest side are used to soaking up the pressure and hitting on the counter, meaning, should the new boss deploy his usual style, it might be a bit contrasting for the players, at least at the start.
Postecoglou confirmed that Ola Aina is the only casualty in his squad ahead of the trip to the Emirates, with the defender suffering a hamstring problem while on international duty with Nigeria. Former Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko will be ineligible following his late loan to Nottingham Forest on deadline day.
Forest fans might expect a multitude of changes in midfield, as the in-form Elliot Anderson will be set in his role. Summer signing Douglas Luiz is yet to get his first minutes since arriving from Juventus, and Postecoglou could potentially pair the Brazilian with the England international in a double pivot.
Another summer arrival, Nicolo Savona, could deputise for Aina at right-back, while Neco Williams occupies the left-back slot. Morgan Gibbs-White will slot in the attacking midfield role, with Dan Ndoye and Callum Hudson-Odoi on either flank. For now, Chris Wood is widely expected to retain his starting role, but following the summer transfers, there is plenty of quality competition for the No.9 spot.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Luiz; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Key Stats
Arsenal have won their last four home matches against Nottingham Forest in all competitions.
Arsenal have only lost three times at the Emirates in the Premier League since the start of 2024.
Nottingham Forest have conceded 19 times in their last six trips to Arsenal.
Nottingham Forest have not beaten Arsenal away from home since March 1989.
Two of the three sides to make the most high intensity pressures in the final third this season are Nottingham Forest (301, 2nd) and Arsenal (280, 3rd), with respective strikers Viktor Gyokeres (76, 2nd) and Chris Wood (72, 3rd) also in the top three among players for that metric.
Player to Watch
Noni Madueke
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Madueke produced a strong showing away at Anfield, which helped calm the nerves in light of Saka’s absence. The winger took a giant step to further showcase he could be a solid enough idea for Arsenal following a tremendous display against Serbia for England, as well as being bright against Andorra.
The early-season injury to Bukayo Saka vindicated Arsenal’s decision to sign Madueke, given how influential an option he is in Saka’s absence now. Madueke will be the man in focus at the Emirates, and he will want to continue his strong form and put the market in front of Mikel Arteta to indicate he is not here to warm the bench but keep playing regular minutes as a starter.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-1 Nottingham Forest
There will be obvious questions about how soon these Nottingham Forest players can adapt to the new manager’s instructions. However, it is also up to Ange Postecoglou to figure out the strengths of his current group and create tactics that complement his players, at least in the early stages.
While this is a talented team, there’s barely been enough time for the Australian tactician to get to know them, which may cost them this game. As for Arsenal, they are desperate not to lose ground to Liverpool, particularly in home games.
With an international break producing no fresh fitness issues, Mikel Arteta has all the weapons to put on a show at the Emirates, as Arsenal are expected to win comfortably, although they might concede an odd goal given the quality Nottingham Forest possess. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Arteta and his charges.