Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Seeking an immediate response when they return from September’s international break on Saturday lunchtime, Arsenal will welcome Nottingham Forest to north London.
Arsenal
Starting with the hosts, suffering late heartbreak away at Liverpool prior to September’s fortnight interval as they fell to a 1-0 loss against the defending champions, Arsenal mark their return on Saturday lunchtime knowing the importance of claiming an immediate response. However, getting the 2025/26 campaign underway with a 1-0 victory away at historic rivals Manchester United, Mikel Arteta’s side are desperate to clinch a first Premier League crown since way back in 2004. Looking to lay down a marker this weekend, the Gunners will certainly be excited to make a return to north London here. Last seen at the Emirates storming their way to a dominant 5-0 romp against top-flight returners Leeds, Arsenal have suffered just a pair of Premier League defeats in front of their own supporters since April 2024.
Arsenal Team News
Picking up a reported muscle injury during the opening exchanges against Liverpool last time out, Arsenal are expected to be without defensive talisman William Saliba on Saturday lunchtime. Undergoing knee surgery last month, former Chelsea star Kai Havertz remains on the sidelines.
Coming off the bench and making his Arsenal debut at Anfield prior to the September break, big-money new recruit Eberechi Eze could make a first Arsenal start here. Enjoying what has been a remarkable rise to superstardom, 15-year-old Max Dowman should get some more minutes under his belt.
Nottingham Forest
As for the visitors, while Nottingham Forest might have officially had their historic Europa League adventure confirmed last month, there has been been a summer of drama behind the scenes at the City Ground. In what was sensational breaking news late on Monday night, it was announced that Nuno Espírito Santo had officially been axed and that ex-Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou would be taking over with immediate effect. Heading into September’s international break with a shock 3-0 drumming at home against West Ham, the former Wolves boss had made his frustrations publicly clear and tensions were starting to boil over. Mustering just a single win from any of their first three Premier League showdowns, Forest have also now won just a pair of their previous nine showdowns against top-flight opposition continuing on from last season. Likewise, hit with another 3-0 defeat when they last travelled to north London back in November 2024, Saturday’s inconsistent squad are set for another stern examination in the capital this weekend.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Yet to make a single appearance this season, Nicolas Dominguez remains on the sidelines with a knee issue and will not travel to north London this weekend. Getting a new era underway at the City ground following Postecoglou’s appointment on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see just how much the former Tottenham boss tinkers with his new side.
Completing a permanent switch from Italian giants Juventus over the summer, Douglas Luiz could make his Nottingham Forest debut here. Despite featuring for New Zealand over the past fortnight Chris Wood should lead the line on Saturday lunchtime.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Key Factors to Consider
- When Arsenal last welcomed Nottingham Forest to north London back in November 2024, the Gunners secured a routine 3-0 victory.
- Arsenal have registered 10 points from their previous four Premier League showdowns against Saturday’s guests.
- The Gunners have suffered just a pair of Premier League defeats at the Emirates since April 2024.
- Continuing on from last season, Nottingham Forest have won just a pair of their previous nine showdowns against Premier League opposition.
- Forest have recorded just a single Premier League clean sheet on their travels so far this calendar year.
Conclusion
Heading into September’s international break with that close-fought 1-0 loss away at defending champions Liverpool, Arsenal will be excited to make a return to home soil here. With their sights firmly set on securing a first Premier League crown since 2004, Arteta’s men will be confident of claiming an immediate response at the Emirates. Landing a routine 3-0 romp when they last welcomed Nottingham Forest to the capital back in November 2024, Postecoglou will be bracing himself for a tricky immediate return to north London this weekend.
Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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