Match Preview: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

As the first international break of the season comes to a close, usual service in the Premier League returns this weekend. Hosted at the Emirates Stadium, the first game back sees title-seeking Arsenal take on Nottingham Forest.

Forest will be hoping for a strong performance under the tactics of their new manager, Ange Postecoglou, following the dismissal of Nuno Espírito Santo.

Former manager of the Gunners’ close rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, Postecoglou will be looking to pick up his first managerial win against Arsenal.

At Spurs, he managed to secure just one point in the four meetings against the club, enduring three defeats.

Arsenal will aim to put their defeat at Liverpool behind them. Arteta’s side, despite only playing one game at home so far, have scored five goals at the Emirates Stadium, in a rampant 5-0 victory against Leeds.

However, if there is a time for Forest to snatch a shock victory, then the time is now. Injuries are already haunting Arsenal this season. Arteta admitted that star man Bukayo Saka “will miss a few weeks,” following his hamstring injury against Leeds.

Just a week later, central defender William Saliba was declared out for three to four weeks following an ankle issue in Arsenal’s defeat to Liverpool. Alongside this, Havertz’s knee injury, Ødegaard’s uncertainty through a knock, and poor form in players such as Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal look far more vulnerable than expected, though they are still heavy favourites to take all three points away from the game.

Since Forest made their return to the Premier League in 2022, Arsenal have dominated the fixture on most occasions. From the three games that the clubs have met at the Emirates Stadium since Forest’s promotion, Arsenal have won all three, with a total aggregate of 10-1 across the matches.

With a home win, Arsenal would be sent to the top of the table. Whereas, if Forest steal the points, they will leap into third place.

Arsenal will be pursuing nothing less than a convincing victory on Saturday, and their quality should shine through. However, with the unpredictability of a manager’s first game, and a dangerous Forest side, it is a fixture that could go either way. With injuries and new signings still settling in, Arsenal must be careful of a team who will be eager to secure their first win this season since Matchweek One.

Stadium: Emirates Stadium, London

Date and Time: Saturday, 13th of September, 12:30 pm BST

Event: Premier League, Matchweek 4

Referee: Darren England