Nottingham Forest against Arsenal in the Premier League
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Team news, predicted lineups and match preview 3
Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest looking to claim all three points at a ground where they have dropped four points across the last two seasons.
A struggling Nottingham Forest side welcome Premier League champions Arsenal to the City Ground in a clash where neither team can afford to drop points.
Forest are winless at home this season and, even worse, are yet to score on their own turf. Facing Arsenal is unlikely to raise their supporters’ expectations, with Forest having failed to win any of their last five home league matches (three draws and two defeats).
Arsenal lost their last away league match, producing a disappointing performance as Brighton secured a 3-0 victory.
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On Sunday, the champions will be looking to claim three points and close the gap on league leaders Manchester City.
Head-to-Head
Arsenal have struggled at the City Ground in recent years.
Their last two Premier League visits both ended in 0-0 draws.
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Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Team news, predicted lineups and match preview 5
We have won just one of our last six away encounters against Nottingham Forest across all competitions, recording three defeats and two draws.
The two clubs have met more than 100 times across all competitions, with Arsenal winning over 55 matches, more than 22 ending in draws and Nottingham Forest claiming over 28 victories.
Recent Form
Nottingham Forest: L-L-W-D-D-L (1 win, 2 draws, 3 defeats).
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Arsenal: W-W-L-W-W-W (5 wins, 0 draws, 1 defeat).
Players to Watch – Nottingham Forest
Morgan Gibbs-White: He is arguably Forest’s best player because of his all-round contribution in the attacking third.
The England international has the ability to create big chances and is also a capable goalscorer.
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Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Team news, predicted lineups and match preview 7
Beyond his two assists and one goal in six league matches, he has been Forest’s standout player in two of those games. Playing in front of the home supporters on Sunday might inspire Gibbs-White to shine even more.
Dan Ndoye: The Swiss international is in excellent form, having registered six goal contributions in his last four appearances for club and country.
He has scored twice for Forest this season, with his latest goal coming against Crystal Palace in the previous matchweek.
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Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Team news, predicted lineups and match preview 8
Ndoye’s dribbling and ball-carrying abilities are excellent, while his explosive pace and direct style make him particularly dangerous during transitions and counter-attacks.
With Forest expected to play on the counter, his pace could prove ideal for their approach and keep Arsenal’s defenders on their toes.
Arsenal
Bukayo Saka: Saka is gradually returning to his best form this season, with six goals and one assist so far for club and country.
Against Lille, he made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, registering both a goal and an assist within minutes of his introduction.
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Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Team news, predicted lineups and match preview 11
Saka is regarded as one of the best wingers in world football, and Nottingham Forest are among his favourite opponents. He has scored three goals and registered one assist in his last four matches against them.
His explosive changes of pace, ability to cut inside onto his favoured left foot, excellent crossing and chance creation will worry Forest’s defenders throughout the match.
Don’t bet against him finding the back of the net on Sunday.
David Raya: Three clean sheets in six league matches and six across nine appearances in all competitions this season highlight just how important David Raya is to Arsenal.
His consistency in shot-stopping has helped him win back-to-back Premier League Golden Glove awards.
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Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Team news, predicted lineups and match preview 12
His proactive approach when coming off his line in a sweeper-keeper role is excellent, while his distribution is equally impressive.
Raya has not conceded a goal in his last four matches against Nottingham Forest, and he could prove decisive for Arsenal once again on Sunday.
Match Facts
Nottingham Forest are yet to score at the City Ground this season.
They have also failed to score in their last two home league matches against Arsenal, with both encounters ending 0-0.
Team News
Nottingham Forest: Igor Jesus is unavailable due to a calf injury.
Nikola Milenković and Neco Williams are doubts but could make the matchday squad if they pass late fitness tests.
Oliver Glasner has almost a full squad to choose from.
He is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation against Arsenal.
Big Selection Decision: Chris Wood or Liam Delap — who will lead the attack?
Arsenal:
Piero Hincapié: Arteta has confirmed that his injury is more significant than initially hoped and will keep him sidelined for several weeks.
William Saliba: The Frenchman is approaching match fitness but will not feature against Nottingham Forest.
Martín Zubimendi: The Spaniard is a doubt but could make the matchday squad if he passed the late fitness test.
Mikel Arteta has almost a full squad to choose from.
Arsenal are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Big Selection Decision: Will Arteta start with a Rice-Guimarães midfield pivot?
What the Managers Have Said
oliver glasner
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Team news, predicted lineups and match preview 14
Nottingham Forest — Oliver Glasner
On handling the psychological pressure and the team’s mindset following recent results:
“When you are fighting the entire season, more or less, against not getting relegated, things happen.
I think we all know this from our life.
When things happen in the past, and then maybe a similar situation comes, you remember these things…They are human beings.
And that’s why I feel they want this win, and sometimes when you want things too much, they don’t happen.”
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Arsenal — Mikel Arteta
On the challenge of travelling to the City Ground and facing Nottingham Forest:
“The beautiful challenge will be Nottingham Forest away, and we’ve experienced that over the last few years, we’ll make sure we’re ready for that one first.”
What to Expect From the Match
Nottingham Forest find themselves 15th in the table following an inconsistent start to the season. After going unbeaten in their opening three matches, they have struggled for results and lost their last two games, including a home defeat to newly promoted Coventry City.
Arsenal, meanwhile, suffered a 3-0 defeat at Brighton in their last away league match and will be looking to close the gap on Manchester City, who have won all their league fixtures this season.
Expect Arsenal to dominate possession and attack through the wings, with Bukayo Saka likely to be the primary attacking threat.
Nottingham Forest are expected to sit deep and play on the counter-attack, particularly targeting Arsenal’s left side.
Riccardo Calafiori is likely to push forward to create overloads in midfield and attack, potentially leaving space behind him.
That space could be exploited by Forest’s pacey attacking players, particularly Dan Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Forest’s vulnerability from set-pieces has been a recurring theme, and with Arsenal’s exceptional threat from dead-ball situations, this could prove decisive at a ground where both teams have struggled to score in recent meetings.
Taking everything into consideration, another low-scoring encounter could be on the horizon.
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