Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest preview as both clubs will be looking to recover from disappointing results prior to the International Break.
Arsenal fell to a 1-0 defeat at Anfield after a Dominik Szoboszlai wonder freekick broke the deadlock of a game where Arsenal focused on their defensive stability. Their main attacking outlet was Noni Madueke, who provided danger on the counterattack, but couldn’t cause a major threat past Milos Kerkez. In the opening two gameweeks, the main threat for Arsenal has been defenders, with Jurrien Timber scoring twice against Leeds and Ricardo Calafiori scoring the only goal against Manchester United.
Viktor Gyokeres also started his goalscoring record at Arsenal with a brace against Leeds, having scored a great goal from open play and once from the penalty spot. It will take time for his goalscoring threat to come to its full potential.
Nottingham Forest were heading into the last 10 minutes of their game against West Ham with a 0-0 draw, but the injection of pace from Crsencio Summerville caused all sorts of problems for the Forest defence, and they conceded three late goals to end with their first defeat of the season.
Forest have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, which was a key component of their success last season. They will also be preparing to start their first European campaign of the Premier League era in the coming weeks.
The sacking of Nuno Espirito Santos and his replacement by Ange Postecoglou has sent shockwaves across football circles. Not only had Nuno brought Forest incredible success since his appointment, but it was his defensive and counter-attacking style which brought the success. Ange is known for his attacking philosophy, and his high defensive line became a key reason why his Spurs team struggled when injuries to his starting back-line came.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Head-to-Head record: Last seven matches
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal
Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Matchup Statistics:
- Oleksander Zinchenko was a deadline-day loan move from Arsenal to Nottingham Forest.
- Bukayo Saka will be a big miss in this game as he has scored three goals and provided an assist in his last three matches against Forest.
- Ange Postecoglou has just taken over as Nottingham Forest manager. As a former Spurs manager, he didn’t win any of his four North London Derbies, only drawing the first 2-2 and losing the other three.
Team Statistics:
- Only Sunderland (1.29) have produced a lower open-play xG than Arsenal’s 1.57 across three matches.
- Arsenal are one of only four teams to have conceded one goal in their three games.
- Only Manchester City and Chelsea have completed more passes than Nottingham Forest in the league this season, with 418.
- Nottingham Forest have conceded two penalties, more than any other other team in the league.
- Arsenal have received six yellow cards this season. Only
Player Statistics:
- No active combo has produced more one-two passes in the Premier League than Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard with 38. Saka is injured, which will be a big miss down the right-hand side.
- David Raya is one of only seven goalkeepers to have had two clean sheets this season.
- Dan Ndoye is the only Nottingham Forest player this season to score and assist this season.