Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

A huge Premier League game beckons at the Emirates as Arsenal take on surprise package Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.

How many of you would've predicted this, eh? Late November and the Gunners are level on points with Forest in the Premier League table. Mikel Arteta's title hopefuls sit nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool in fourth following a four-game winless run, but many are regarding Saturday's bout at the starting point in Arsenal's season. It's been a bit bonkers thus far.

The return of Martin Odegaard from a lengthy injury layoff should aid Arsenal's pursuit up the table, but their schedule remains unrelenting up until the new year. Sporting CP await in the Champions League on Tuesday.

This wouldn't have been seen as a particularly tough fixture as the season got underway, but Nuno Espirito Santo's Forest enter this bout fifth in the table and with the second-best defensive record in the division.

Nuno's current outfit isn't too dissimilar to the Wolves team he brought into the Premier League, with Arsenal set to face a physical and aggressive team that's superb on the counter-attack and no longer vulnerable from set plays.

Here's our preview of Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

What time does Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest kick off?

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest kicks off on Saturday 23 November at 15:00 BST.

• When is kick off? Saturday 23 November, 2024
• What time is kick off? 15:00 BST
• Where is it played? Emirates Stadium, London
• Referee: Simon Hooper

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest head to head record

Forest appeared in the Premier League for the first time this century in 2022, with Arsenal facing off against their upcoming opponents on several occasions in cup competitions in recent years. Forest twice knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup while they were plying their trade in the second tier. Since returning to the top flight, the Gunners have won three of the four Premier League duels.

Is Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest on TV?

Arsenal's upcoming Premier League encounter falls under the 3 pm blackout, so the game will not be televised in the UK.

However, US supporters can stream the game live via Peacock, and the Fubo TV Sports Network will show Saturday's clash in Canada.

Arsenal team news

Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, and Thomas Partey all didn't feature for the respective national teams over the international break, and we're yet to receive an update on their statuses for Saturday's game. If any of them were to miss out, Rice would seemingly be the most likely given that he's dealing with a suspected foot injury - potentially a broken toe.

Riccardo Calafiori could return to the matchday squad after almost a month out with a knee injury, but Arsenal will be without Ben White for the next couple of months after he underwent minor knee surgery. The knock sustained by Leandro Trossard over the break shouldn't see him miss much time.

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are poised to be back in contention, with the latter pictured in training on Wednesday.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Forest: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Nottingham Forest team news

Nuno hasn't been one for chopping and changing his starting XI this season, and there are unlikely to be many alterations from his previous team, even if Forest were beaten at home by Newcastle.

Elliott Anderson could come in and replace Nicolas Dominguez to partner Ryan Yates. Danilo is a long -term absentee, while Ibrahim Sangare is unlikely to feature.

Chris Wood's Premier League scoring record can only be bettered by Erling Haaland this term and he'll be leading Forest's line on Saturday.

Predicted Forest lineup vs Arsenal: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest score prediction

This winless run has got to stop. The season starts now.

Arsenal's next assignment is very tough, mind. Despite their recent defeat, Forest must be brimming with confidence given the start they've made to the season. Nuno's side have won at Anfield and secured a point at Stamford Bridge. A stern defence combined with the threat they boast on the counter is the formula for downing teams of the Gunners' ilk.

Thus, Arteta's side are going to have to grind through this one, and I wouldn't be surprise if they have to play from behind. Given the significance of the contest for the hosts, I'm backing them to win, but they may have to stage a dramatic late show to topple a stout Forest team.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest

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