Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

The Gunners will face a Forest side with a new coach in Ange Postecoglou. Arsenal have won their last four home matches vs these opponents with 15 goals scored.

Match: Arsenal v Nottingham Forest
When: Saturday, 13 September 2025

Arsenal Form

Arsenal had a strong 2024-25 season, even if they ended without a trophy. Mikel Arteta’s side reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and finished second in the league. Their season ended with a 1-0 home win over Newcastle and a 2-1 win at Southampton.

This season began with a 1-0 win at Man Utd on the opening day despite being outshot 22-9. They thrashed Leeds 5-0 in their second match after outshooting The Whites 18-3. Their last match saw a tepid 1-0 loss at Liverpool as they managed just one shot on target.

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal have some major injury problems. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are out and William Saliba was not pictured in training after going off against Liverpool.

Bukayo Saka is still out so Noni Madueke is set to start. Martin Odegaard should be able to start and Eberechi Eze is pushing for a place in the XI.

Arsenal Brentford Motivation

The Gunners will see nothing but a win as a good result. A draw would feel like a defeat.

They will play a much more open style than against Liverpool. Expect Arteta’s side to look to get bodies forward and to keep attacking if they’re leading.

Nottingham Forest Form

Forest won 19 of their 38 matches last term and finished seventh in the table. A win on the final day would have secured Champions League football. In all competitions, they lost five of their final nine matches including 2-0 to Man City in the FA Cup semi-finals and 1-0 at home to Chelsea on the final day.

This season began with a fine performance to beat Brentford 3-1 at home. Forest led 3-0 at half-time in a dominant display. A hard-fought 1-1 day in Round Two was followed by a shock loss. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side lost 3-0 at home to West Ham in a match which sat at 0-0 with 83 minutes on the clock.            

Nottingham Forest Team News

Nicolas Dominguez is absent after knee surgery and Ola Aina was injured on Nigeria duty. Oleksandr Zinchenko was signed on loan on deadline day but can’t face his parent club.

Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa signed on deadline day in a deal worth more than £30m and could debut from the bench. New coach Ange Postecoglou is unlikely to make many changes with Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee expected to be used as substitutes again.

Nottingham Forest Motivation

Forest would arguably be delighted to leave the Emirates with a point. They will play to win but could settle for a draw quite early on.

The approach is going to be a surprise. Postecoglou prefers an open, attacking style but Forest have used a mid-block with minimal pressing in the past.

Key Stats

Arsenal have lost just 2 of their last 15 league matches (7 wins, 6 draws)

Arsenal have won their last 4 home matches vs Nottm Forest (15 goals scored)

Nottingham Forest have lost 6 of their last 12 matches

Nottingham Forest have seen  Both Teams Scoring in their last 8 away EPL matches

Verdict

This should be a good game, with a new coach and several new signings to enjoy. Forest should score against an Arsenal defence missing Saliba but the hosts are backed to score at least three goals.

Best Bet: Arsenal win and Both Teams to Score at 3.10

Featured Bet: Arsenal win, Over 2.5 Goals and Gyokeres to score anytime at 2.75

Correct Score Bet: Arsenal 3-1 Nottingham Forest at 9.50