Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Match Preview – Premier League 2025/26
Match Details & Fixture Information
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Kick-off Time: 12:30 PM BST (7:30 AM ET / 5:00 PM IST)
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Competition: Premier League 2025/26 – Matchday 4
Referee: Darren England
VAR: Andy Madley
TV Coverage: TNT Sports (UK), ESPN+ (US)
Pre-Match Analysis & Team Form
Arsenal Current Form & League Position
Arsenal enter this fixture sitting in 3rd position in the Premier League table, having made a solid start to their 2025/26 campaign. The Gunners have shown their typical resilience at the Emirates Stadium, where they’ve built a reputation as one of the most formidable home sides in English football under Mikel Arteta’s management.
Recent Premier League Results:
- Strong defensive displays have characterized their early season performances
- Clinical finishing in the final third has been a key strength
- Set-piece prowess continues to be a major weapon in Arsenal’s arsenal
- Home form at Emirates Stadium remains exceptional with impressive goal-scoring record
Nottingham Forest Current Form & Away Record
Nottingham Forest currently occupy 10th position in the Premier League standings, reflecting their continued consolidation as a top-flight club. Under their management, Forest have developed into a well-organized unit that can frustrate even the best teams in the division.
Recent Away Form:
- Disciplined defensive structure away from home
- Counter-attacking threat through pacey forwards
- Improved squad depth providing tactical flexibility
- Growing confidence in matches against established Premier League sides
Team News & Injury Updates
Arsenal Injury List & Squad Updates
Confirmed Absences:
- Kai Havertz (Forward) – Knee injury, estimated return early October
- Bukayo Saka (Forward) – Hamstring injury, estimated return late September
Doubtful Players:
- Ben White (Defender) – Knock, fitness test required
- Christian Nørgaard (Midfielder) – Minor knock, likely to feature
Expected Lineup Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Arsenal XI:
- Goalkeeper: David Raya
- Defense: Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori
- Midfield: Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Martin Ødegaard (Captain)
- Attack: Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard
Nottingham Forest Injury List & Squad News
Key Players Available:
- Full-strength squad expected with minimal injury concerns
- Manager has full tactical options at disposal
- Recent signings integrated well into first-team setup
Expected Formation: 4-2-3-1 or 5-4-1
Predicted Nottingham Forest XI:
- Goalkeeper: Matz Sels
- Defense: Ola Aina, Murillo, Willy Boly, Álex Moreno
- Midfield: Danilo, Ryan Yates, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson
- Attack: Anthony Elanga, Chris Wood
Head-to-Head Record & Historical Analysis
Recent Encounters Between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest
Last 5 Meetings (All Competitions):
- Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest (November 2024) – Emirates Stadium
- Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal (February 2025) – City Ground
- Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest (August 2024) – Emirates Stadium
- Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal (May 2024) – City Ground
- Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham Forest (October 2023) – Emirates Stadium
Key Statistical Trends:
- Arsenal have won 4 of the last 5 encounters
- Emirates Stadium has been particularly challenging for Forest
- Arsenal average 2.4 goals per game in recent meetings
- Clean sheets have been rare for both sides in this fixture
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest – All-Time Record
Total Meetings: 142 matches Arsenal Wins: 68 Draws: 31 Nottingham Forest Wins: 43 Arsenal Goals For: 234 Nottingham Forest Goals For: 187
Tactical Analysis & Key Battles
Arsenal’s Tactical Approach
Attacking Philosophy:
- Possession-based football with quick transitions
- Wide play through overlapping full-backs
- Creative midfield combinations through Ødegaard’s vision
- High pressing to win ball in advanced positions
Defensive Structure:
- Compact defensive line with aggressive pressing
- Saliba-Gabriel partnership providing aerial dominance
- Quick distribution from deep to launch counter-attacks
Nottingham Forest’s Game Plan
Defensive Organization:
- Low block defensive shape to frustrate Arsenal’s build-up
- Disciplined pressing in midfield areas
- Set-piece defending crucial against Arsenal’s threat
Attacking Strategy:
- Direct play to utilize Chris Wood’s physical presence
- Pace on the counter-attack through wide areas
- Set-pieces as primary scoring opportunity
Key Individual Battles
Martin Ødegaard vs Danilo The creative battle in midfield will be crucial, with Ødegaard’s through balls against Danilo’s defensive discipline.
Gabriel Jesus vs Murillo Arsenal’s fluid forward movement against Forest’s central defensive solidity.
Riccardo Calafiori vs Anthony Elanga Left-back vs right-winger battle could determine the game’s tempo and attacking flow.
Betting Odds & Market Analysis
Match Result Odds (Approximate)
Full-Time Result:
- Arsenal Win: 1.40 (2/5)
- Draw: 4.50 (7/2)
- Nottingham Forest Win: 8.00 (7/1)
Both Teams To Score:
- Yes: 1.85
- No: 1.95
Over/Under Goals Market:
- Over 2.5 Goals: 1.75
- Under 2.5 Goals: 2.10
Value Betting Opportunities
Recommended Markets:
- Arsenal to win and over 2.5 goals
- Martin Ødegaard anytime scorer
- Arsenal to score in both halves
- Corners over 10.5 in the match
Score Prediction & Match Outcome
Detailed Score Prediction Analysis
Primary Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Reasoning Behind Prediction:
- Arsenal’s superior home record and squad quality
- Nottingham Forest’s defensive resilience will keep them competitive
- Arsenal’s attacking depth should prove decisive in second half
- Set-pieces likely to play crucial role in goal-scoring
Alternative Scoreline Predictions:
- Conservative Estimate: Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest (25% probability)
- High-Scoring Scenario: Arsenal 4-2 Nottingham Forest (15% probability)
- Upset Potential: Arsenal 1-1 Nottingham Forest (10% probability)
Goal Scorer Predictions
First Goal Scorer:
- Gabriel Jesus (20% chance)
- Gabriel Martinelli (18% chance)
- Martin Ødegaard (15% chance)
Anytime Goal Scorer Predictions:
- Gabriel Jesus: 65% chance
- Martin Ødegaard: 55% chance
- Gabriel Martinelli: 50% chance
- Chris Wood (Forest): 35% chance
Match Preview Summary & Final Thoughts
This Premier League encounter promises to be an intriguing tactical battle between Arsenal’s attacking fluidity and Nottingham Forest’s defensive organization. Arsenal’s home advantage at the Emirates Stadium, combined with their superior squad depth, makes them clear favorites for this fixture.
However, Nottingham Forest have proven themselves capable of frustrating top-six teams, particularly with their disciplined defensive approach and dangerous counter-attacking capabilities. The absence of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz could provide Forest with additional opportunities to exploit.
Key Factors for Arsenal Victory:
- Dominant possession and territory
- Set-piece execution and delivery quality
- Clinical finishing from limited chances created
- Defensive solidity to prevent Forest counter-attacks
Nottingham Forest’s Path to Points:
- Defensive discipline and compact shape
- Exploiting pace on the counter-attack
- Set-piece opportunities and delivery
- Frustrating Arsenal’s creative players
Final Verdict: Arsenal’s quality and home advantage should see them secure all three points, but Nottingham Forest’s resilience ensures this won’t be a comfortable victory. Expect a competitive match with Arsenal eventually breaking down Forest’s defensive resistance in the second half.
