Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest: 3 reasons why Forest could be Gunners' toughest test

Nottingham Forest have been pulling up trees in 2024/25 and they could well stump Arsenal next as they make the trip to Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Nuno and his merry men are enjoying a great start to the campaign; claiming points at Anfield and at Stamford Bridge – the former being their first such win in 55 years – to put themselves fifth and level on points with the Gunners.

Meanwhile, a very different, sombre tone has gripped Arsenal following their four-match winless run, with draws against Liverpool and Chelsea leaving them nine points off the title pace – a big response is needed this weekend.

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest: 3 reasons why this is a tough game for the Gunners

This fixture tends to serve Arsenal well, but here are three reasons why Forest might be one of our toughest games yet.     

1. Strong Forest defence

Nuno has ditched five-at-the-back for a traditional back four and, so far, it is working wonders at the City Ground.

This owes much to their shrewd off-season business and particularly the arrival of Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina. The 27-year-old is making a huge impact for Forest; offering leadership in place of the oft-injured Willy Boly and aerial dominance where it had previously lacked, thereby addressing Forest’s set-piece deficiencies.

He forms a good CB partnership with Murillo too. Their contrasting qualities (e.g. right-footed vs left, ball-playing defender vs traditional defender, etc.) allow them to complement each other quite well and, as a result, they have transformed Forest into one of the best defences in the Premier League, conceding just ten goals (second best record, behind Liverpool).

If Arsenal are shown the way to a Murillo or Milenkovic duel this weekend, then it could all end in tears.

Continued on the next slide...