Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

Arsenal have an awkward away test on Wednesday night as they take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The Gunners enter this bout off the back of a terrible weekend which saw their Premier League title hopes slim further. A 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday was followed up by Liverpool's first win at the Etihad in a decade, and the Reds, who could've had their lead trimmed to five points on Saturday afternoon, now have an 11-point advantage.

It's not done yet, but only a monumental collapse on Merseyside and a lengthy winning run will thrust Mikel Arteta's side back into the race.

Nottingham Forest have lost back-to-back games, but they're mightily tough to beat on home soil and will be keen to return to winning ways under the lights. Nuno Espirito Santo's side have been one of the stories of the season, but their recent dip has congested the top half of the Premier League table.

While they currently occupy third spot, Bournemouth are just four points back in sixth.

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

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

What time does Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal kick off?

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal kicks off on Saturday 22 February at 15:00 BST.

• When is kick off? Wednesday 26 February, 2025
• What time is kick off? 19:30 BST
• Where is it played? City Ground, Nottingham
• Referee: Andy Madley

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal head to head record (last five games)

Is Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal on TV?

Nottingham Forest team news

Forest's dismal defensive showing in the first half at St. James' Park could convince Nuno to adopt a back three on Wednesday, with Morato coming into the backline.

Ryan Yates could return to the starting XI after scoring off the bench on Sunday, replacing Nicolas Dominguez. Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo are also in contention.

Taiwo Awoniyi was back on the bench at the weekend but didn't come on. He'll likely be wearing a protective mask if he sees the field in midweek.

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

Arsenal team news

Arteta will surely have to change tack after Saturday's lifeless display, but the Spaniard's options are limited unless he opts for a drastic systematic alteration.

That seems unlikely, so Arsenal will likely line up with Mikel Merino or Leandro Trossard up top again. There's hope Ethan Nwaneri will be fit for Wednesday's game after he limped off late on against the Hammers.

Riccardo Calafiori is poised to retain his spot with Myles Lewis-Skelly suspended, while Ben White should earn more minutes off the bench.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus are all sidelined.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Nottingham Forest: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal score prediction

Arsenal strolled to three points in the reverse fixture, but Wednesday's game will be drastically different.

The Gunners have served up 20 minutes of inspiration post-Dubai, with the rest dominated by flat possession play bereft of threat. If Nwaneri isn't fit, I have no idea where Arteta turns.

The margins have been fine for Arsenal this season, and their injuries in attack have only exacerbated their need to be tactically perfect in order to prevail. One lapse could prove costly.

Unfortunately, I just can't trust this Gunners outfit, with the personnel available, to go to the City Ground and win. This has the makings of a frustrating night.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal

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