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Match Preview – Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

Arsenal will be looking to retain their place at the top of the Premier League when the Gunners host Nottingham Forest this weekend.

The visitors have had a difficult start to the season, but an upset win against Liverpool has increased optimism at the City Ground.

Here is all you need to know about Sunday’s game.

Form

Arsenal: WWWDL

Is fatigue beginning to set in for Arsenal?

The Gunners are top of the Premier League after a brilliant start to the campaign, but have seen their level of performance drop in recent fixtures. Mikel Areta’s side missed the chance to secure Europa League qualification as group winners following a 2-0 defeat at PSV Eindhoven on Thursday, a result which followed dropped points at Southampton.

A hat-trick of 1-0 wins proceeded those results and there are concerns as to whether Arsenal’s inexperienced side are beginning to feel the demands of the campaign to date. Arteta has started eight players in all 11 league games this season, while Martin Odegaard has started 10/11.

It might be time to rotate for Arsenal, who will want to preserve their lead at the summit heading into the season’s break for the World Cup next month.

Nottingham Forest: LDLDW

Few are getting carried away at Nottingham Forest, but a 1-0 win over Liverpool has provided the struggling side with a huge confidence boost heading into this weekend’s fixtures.

Forest have improved defensively in recent games and have conceded just two goals across their last four Premier League games, though required the heroics of Dean Henderson to keep Liverpool out last weekend.

Taiwo Awoniyi scored the decisive goal and will hope for an extended run in the side. The Nigerian has been in and out of Steve Cooper’s plans to date, but has three goals from five Premier League starts. Awoniyi scored 20 goals in all competitions for Union Berlin last season and has both the goal threat and physical presence to trouble teams this season.

Forest will take inspiration from their last meeting with Arsenal, having dumped the Gunners out of the FA Cup while still a Championship outfit last season. It will be a more difficult test at the Emirates however, with Arsenal having won eight straight league games on home soil.

Last Meeting

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal, January 9th 2022

Lewis Grabban’s late goal eliminated Arsenal in the FA Cup third round in January, as Nottingham Forest caused an upset at the City Ground.

Mikel Arteta apologised for his side’s performance after the Gunners were knocked out to second-tier opposition, with Grabban turning home from Ryan Yates’ cross with just seven minutes remaining.

The Championship side had beaten Arsenal at the same stage in 2018 and repeated the feat once again, as a hard-fought 1-0 win saw the record 14-time winners fall at the first hurdle.

Predicted Lineups

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.

Nottingham Forest: Henderson; Aurier, Cook, McKenna, Williams; Yates, Freuler, Kouyate; Gibbs-White, Lingard, Awoyini.

Who is the referee?

Simon Hooper.

What channel is Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest on?

UK and Ireland: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest will not be broadcast live.

USA: fuboTV.

What time is kick off?

Sunday 30th October, 14:00 GMT.

Odds

Arsenal – 1/5

Draw – 6/1

Nottingham Forest – 11/1

Read – Golazo Merchants: Arsenal’s non-flying Dutchman, Dennis Bergkamp

Read Also – Noughties Nines: Carlos Tevez – El Apache

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