Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest: 3 players who could make the difference

By Kenneth Daly

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 27: (L-R) Erick Gutierrez of PSV, Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League match between PSV v Arsenal at the Philips Stadium on October 27, 2022 in Eindhoven Netherlands (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images)
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 27: (L-R) Erick Gutierrez of PSV, Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League match between PSV v Arsenal at the Philips Stadium on October 27, 2022 in Eindhoven Netherlands (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next

3. The Arsenal defence

Arsenal are yet to keep a clean sheet at the Emirates in the Premier League this season. (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
Arsenal are yet to keep a clean sheet at the Emirates in the Premier League this season. (Photo by ANP via Getty Images) /

A broader inclusion now, but one that will no doubt be under the spotlight as Arsenal continue their search for a first domestic clean sheet at the Emirates this season.

The unwanted statistic is actually quite anomalous and does not offer a fair reflection of our ever-improving defensive capabilities, with the club boasting the joint second-best defensive record in the division and a league-high of four clean sheets away from home.

However, we still concede far too many chances through lapses in concentration and individual errors, while a drop-off in intensity akin to what transpired at PSV would give undue encouragement to our physical, tenacious visitors at the weekend and might lead to a similar result.

The return of White and Gabriel should add steel to the defence and keep a goal-shy Forest at bay, and their combined proficiency in duels will further boost our efforts to neutralise any transitional threat.

A home shut-out is long overdue and now is as good a time as any to get it.

Home/Arsenal News