Arsenal at City Ground: Ending the Goal Drought Against Nottingham Forest

Time: Sunday, October 18, at 16:30 (15:30 GMT)
Venue: City Ground, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Competition: Premier League

Arsenal travel to the City Ground aiming to end their goal drought there, with their last two visits both ending in 0-0 draws against Nottingham Forest. The match promises plenty of intrigue, with the visitors second in the Premier League table, three points behind Manchester City, while Forest sit 15th.

Recent form

Arsenal come into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Leeds United at the Emirates, returning to winning ways after a 0-3 defeat to Brighton before the international break. Manager Mikel Arteta admitted the performance at the Amex was "absolutely mediocre" and said the team had learned from it. Goals from Riccardo Calafiori in the 62nd minute and substitute Bruno Guimaraes in the 68th turned the game around for the Gunners. Arsenal had earlier beaten Lille 3-0 in the Champions League, maintaining a perfect record in Europe.

For Nottingham Forest, manager Oliver Glasner endured a disappointing return to Selhurst Park as his side lost 1-3 to Crystal Palace. Dan Ndoye gave Forest a third-minute lead, but Daichi Kamada equalised in the 41st, before Jefferson Lerma and Yeremy Pino sealed the win for Palace. It was Glasner's first defeat since leaving Crystal Palace for Forest.

Pre-match quotes

Mikel Arteta (Arsenal manager): "We will try our best to score and to stop them. It's going to be a very difficult game, they are an extremely well-coached team. We know that, we have experienced facing Oliver Glasner in the past and they are a team that can create a special atmosphere at home, so we are ready."

Oliver Glasner (Nottingham Forest manager): "In every game this season, Arsenal have run more than their opponents. It's incredible. The effort and the spirit that Mikel Arteta has created there is outstanding. It makes facing them very difficult and you can see it in every player. They have so many world-class players and can change things from the bench."

Head-to-head

The two sides have met 109 times in total. Arsenal have won 56, Forest 29, with 24 draws. In the last five meetings, Arsenal have won two, drawn two and lost one. Notably, Arsenal's last two visits to the City Ground both ended 0-0 (January 2026 and February 2025). Forest's last win over Arsenal came in May 2023, a 1-0 victory thanks to Taiwo Awoniyi's goal that ended the Gunners' title hopes that year.

Team news

Nottingham Forest: Striker Igor Jesus and defender Nicolo Savona remain out with calf and knee injuries respectively. Playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White has a minor muscle problem and is doubtful. Centre-back Nikola Milenkovic has returned to training after a knee injury and could feature.

Arsenal: Winger Christos Tzolis (hamstring) and centre-back William Saliba (back) are unavailable. Manager Arteta said midfielder Martin Zubimendi could recover in time to face Forest, but defender Piero Hincapie is likely to miss out. Both picked up unusual ankle injuries in a training session at the Emirates after the win over Leeds.

Prediction

The Opta supercomputer makes Arsenal clear favourites with a 58.3% chance of winning. Forest's chances of victory are 20.4%, with a draw at 21.3%.