Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest: A Premier League Showdown

The Premier League roars back into action this Saturday following the September international break, and all eyes will be on the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal host Nottingham Forest. This intriguing clash kicks off Gameweek 4, promising a tactical battle with significant implications for both sides.

A New Era for Nottingham Forest Under Postecoglou

One of the most significant developments during the recent break was Nottingham Forest’s surprising decision to part ways with Nuno Espirito Santo. Despite a largely successful 2024-25 campaign, reports suggest a breakdown in relationships between Nuno and Forest’s hierarchy, ultimately leading to his departure. In a dramatic turn, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has moved swiftly, bringing in former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou, who was ruthlessly sacked by Spurs earlier this season.

Postecoglou’s arrival adds a fascinating layer of unpredictability to Forest’s approach. The Australian manager, known for his attacking philosophy, will be eager to secure his first victory in charge against a formidable Arsenal side. This managerial change leaves many wondering what tactical surprises Forest might spring at the Emirates.

Arsenal’s Quest for Redemption

Arsenal, meanwhile, enter this fixture smarting from a narrow defeat to title rivals Liverpool before the international break. Manager Mikel Arteta’s supposedly cautious game plan against the Reds became a major talking point, and the Gunners will be desperate to return to winning ways on home soil. With champions Manchester City already boasting an early advantage at the summit, Arsenal cannot afford to drop further points.

Match Details: Kick-off Time and Officials

• Location: London, England
• Stadium: Emirates Stadium
• Date: Saturday, September 13
• Kick-off Time: 12:30 p.m. BST / 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT
• Referee: Darren England
• VAR: Andy Madley

Head-to-Head Record: A Look Back

In their last five encounters, Arsenal have held the upper hand:

• Arsenal: 3 wins
• Nottingham Forest: 1 win
• Draws: 1

Their last meeting, on February 26, 2025, ended in a goalless draw in the Premier League, highlighting Forest’s ability to frustrate the Gunners.

Current Form (All Competitions)

Both teams have experienced mixed results recently:

Arsenal

• Liverpool 1–0 Arsenal – 31/08/25
• Arsenal 5–0 Leeds – 23/08/25
• Man Utd 0–1 Arsenal – 17/08/25
• Arsenal 3–0 Athletic Club – 09/08/25
• Arsenal 2–3 Villarreal – 06/08/25

Nottingham Forest

• Nottingham Forest 0–3 West Ham – 31/08/25
• Crystal Palace 1–1 Nottingham Forest – 24/08/25
• Nottingham Forest 3–1 Brentford – 17/08/25
• Nottingham Forest 0–0 Al Qadsiah – 09/08/25
• Nottingham Forest 0–0 Fiorentina – 05/08/25

How to Watch: TV and Live Stream Information

Fans across the globe can catch all the action:

• United States: fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, Telemundo
• United Kingdom: discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, discovery+ App, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate
• Canada: DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada, Amazon Prime Video
• Mexico: Caliente TV, Amazon Prime Video

For a comprehensive list of Premier League broadcasters worldwide, you can refer to the official Premier League website.

Arsenal Team News: Injury Concerns and Debut Hopes

Arsenal have received a boost with the returns of Christian Nørgaard and Ben White to training, though neither is expected to start. Deadline Day signing Piero Hincapié has also been training and could make his debut from the bench. However, the Gunners face significant attacking challenges, with Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz all sidelined. Defensive stalwart William Saliba is also set to miss out due to an ankle injury, with Cristhian Mosquera expected to deputize alongside Gabriel. Fans might also see a first Arsenal start for Eberechi Eze on the left flank, operating opposite Noni Madueke and supporting another summer addition, Viktor Gyökeres.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Nottingham Forest (4-3-3)

Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard; Madueke, Gyøkeres, Eze.

Nottingham Forest Team News: Early Setbacks for Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou’s tenure begins with an immediate injury concern as right-back Ola Aina is confirmed to undergo hamstring surgery, potentially sidelining him for the remainder of 2025. This unfortunate blow opens the door for summer arrival Nicolò Savano, who joined from Juventus, to secure a sustained run in the team. Midfielder Nicolás Dominguez, added to Forest’s Europa League squad by Nuno, is not expected back until later in the autumn. Additionally, Oleksandr Zinchenko is ineligible to face his parent club.

Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1)

Sels; Savona, Milenković, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Luiz; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.

Score Prediction: Arsenal to Edge Forest

While Ange Postecoglou has hinted at maintaining his attacking philosophy, he will undoubtedly have learned from his past experiences. A more pragmatic approach might serve Forest well against an Arsenal side eager to reassert their dominance at home, especially after the critical reception following their Liverpool defeat. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding Postecoglou’s arrival, the drastic managerial change is unlikely to yield immediate rewards given the strong bond the Forest squad shared with their former boss. Expect Arsenal to secure a comfortable victory.

Prediction: Arsenal 3–1 Nottingham Forest

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