Arsenal FC vs Nottingham Forest FC, English Premier League 2024-25, Today Match Prediction

Arsenal FC vs Nottingham Forest FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Let’s call this the game of set pieces. Why? Because both teams are equally proficient at it. Mikel Arteta was disappointed with his side’s outcome against Chelsea, but was more than proud of the way the team played, especially having captain and creator Odegaard back in the side. It was Odegaard’s cross that led to Martinelli’s goal. Arsenal are now back in action after 13 days against Forest. There’s a recognisable gap that’s bridging between league leaders Liverpool and Arsenal and that seems to be worrying Mikel. 

Slip ups against the East Midlands side won’t be welcomed, especially knowing the threat that they carry after beating Liverpool and drawing to Chelsea. The Gunners will want to get back to winning ways as some of their only convincing wins came against Shakhtar and Preston North end. If the Gunners are to compete on all fronts, a winter revival will be paramount. 

The question raised before City Ground when Forest took on Newcastle was, Wood or Isak? The answer as we know lies with the Swedish striker as his team mounted a second half impressive comeback victory to seal all three points. Defeat for Nuno proved to be a reality check for this side who have been over performing this season. The Portuguese will know to not take his current position for granted. There is still a long season to go and anything can happen. 

The Reds face one of the harshest tests yet beginning with Arsenal, Man United, Man City and Aston Villa. If one looks at the Premier League top 5, Arsenal are the only team to not have won a European Cup. Forest will want to take pride in that and challenge Arsenal on all fronts. 

Head-to-Head Record: Both teams have met each other 96 times. Arsenal have won 48 of those, Forest have won 28, and 20 games have ended in a draw. 

Current Standings: Arsenal currently sit on 4th with 19 points. Forest are only a spot below separated by goal difference. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Arsenal FC Preview

Arsenal have won six of their last seven Premier League games against Nottingham Forest, with the exception being a 1-0 loss at the City Ground in May 2023. Arsenal are winless in their last four Premier League games (D2 L2), as many times as they’d failed to win in their previous 25 combined (W21 D3 L1). The Gunners haven’t had a longer run without a league win since a run of seven between November and December 2020 (D2 L5). 

No sides have scored more Premier League goals from set piece situations (excluding penalties) this season than either Arsenal or Nottingham Forest (5, level with Aston Villa). Meanwhile, 33% of the Gunners goals conceded have come from set pieces (4/12), with no team shipping a higher such ratio in the competition this term. This will be Mikel Arteta’s 250th match in charge of Arsenal in all competitions, the 10th manager to reach that milestone for the club. He’s already got more wins than any other manager in their first 250 (146), while he has the highest win rate of any manager in the club’s history (58.6% - min. 50 games).

All four of Kai Havertz’s Premier League goals this season have come in home games – it’s the most goals a player has scored in the competition so far this term with 100% coming at home. Raheem Sterling has scored four goals in his four Premier League games against Nottingham Forest, with his average of a goal every 68 minutes against them his best against any opponent he’s faced more than once. Sterling is yet to score or assist a goal in any of his four league appearances for Arsenal, however.

Stats That Matter - Arsenal are ranked 10th in ball possession with 50.2% averaging 13.8 shots per game. The Gunners score an average of 1.64 goals per match with a shooting accuracy of 36%. Kai Havertz is the top scorer with 4 goals. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have also scored 3 goals each this season. The team has an average of 3.1 saves per game, the 12th best in the season. They have conceded an average of 1.09 goals per match.

Injury list - Tierney, Calafiori, Tomiyasu, Rice are currently receiving treatment. 

Arsenal Probable Starting Lineup -  Raya (GK), Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, White (DEF), Odegaard, Partey, Moreno (MID), Saka, Havertz, Martinelli (FWD).

Nottingham Forest FC Preview

Nottingham Forest have lost each of their last four Premier League away games against Arsenal and are winless in their last 10 league visits to the Gunners (D4 L6) since a 3-1 win in March 1989. Having won just three of their first 36 Premier League away games since their return to the division in 2022 (D9 L24), Nottingham Forest have now won five of their last seven on the road (D2). Forest are looking to go unbeaten in their first six away games in a single top-flight campaign for the first time since 1995-96. 

Including stoppage time, Nottingham Forest have been behind for just 102 minutes and 34 seconds in the Premier League this season, less time than any other side. Chris Wood has scored 53.3% of Nottingham Forest’s Premier League goals this season (8/15) – only Erling Haaland (54.5%) has netted a higher share of team’s goals so far this term. 

Stats That Matter - Nottingham Forest are ranked third worst in ball possession with 41.5% averaging 14.3 shots per game. The Tricky Trees score an average of 1.36 goals per match with a shooting accuracy of 36%. Chris Wood is the top scorer with 8 goals. Callum Hudson-Odoi has also scored 2 goals this season. The team has an average of 2.7 saves per game, the 5th worst in the season. They have conceded an average of 0.91 goals per match.

Injury list - Danilo, Sangare and Anderson are all ruled out of a trip to North London. 

Nottingham Forest Probable Starting Lineup -  Sels (GK), Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno (DEF), Yates, Dominguez, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi (MID), Wood (FWD).

ARSENAL FC vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST FC
Winning Prediction

The Gunners can ill-afford any slip ups. So you’d expect them to go all out. They will try getting Odegaard on the ball as much as possible to open up a nasty Nottingham defence. Mikel is hungry for glory, especially after coming so close to winning the title. But Nuno has always been a fighter. He will set up his team to play fast on the counter. The most likely event is the spoils being shared, which may eventually benefit the travelling team. We predict a draw.

We Predict a Draw (1-1)

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