- Forest are 14th in the Premier League 2026/2027, while Arsenal are 2nd with 15 points from 6 games.
- The Tricky Trees have 5 points from 6 matches and are in need of a boost.
Arsenal in command of build-up and pressing
Arsenal have been in fine form, winning 4 and losing 1 of their last 5 games, and they are back on the pitch after bouncing back from their 3-0 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion by beating Leeds United 2-1 at home. Mikel Arteta has been in charge of the Gunners since 20 December 2019, and his side are still sharp as a knife when it comes to playing their controlled build-up game or structured pressing.
Oliver Glasner took charge of Forest on 6 July 2026 and has been steering them towards a more pressing, 3 at the back system that should suit this clash between Arsenal's possession-first, positional game and the Tricky Trees' more pragmatic, transitional identity. Forest's identity was much more pragmatic and less open to the chance to play on the front foot, but Glasner's system should make them a bit braver without the ball.
Nottingham Forest are currently on a 2-match losing run, with 0-1 and 3-1 losses coming at home to Coventry City and away to Crystal Palace respectively in their last 2. Arsenal are the clear favourites at 11/20, and both the visitors and draw are far too short here, with Forest at 23/5 and the draw at 3/1.
Nottingham Forest need a boost
Nottingham Forest have made a very poor start to their Premier League 2026/2027 campaign, and Glasner needs to find the switch to get The Tricky Trees back on track soon. They are yet to win in 3 attempts at City Ground in the Premier League 2026/2027, drawing 1 and losing 2, while they've scored 0.00 goals per game at home in that time.
This game has all the hallmarks of a 1 or 2-goal game, but Arsenal should have the edge. They have won 2 of their 3 away matches in the Premier League 2026/2027, conceding 1.00 goals per road game. Over 2.5 goals at 9/10 is a live bet, but I feel both teams to score at 19/20 is a great price in this situation. Forest will be desperate to get on the board, and Arsenal's away form isn't dominant enough to think that Forest can't nick at least a goal.
Morgan Gibbs-White has been Forest's main creative spark in the Premier League 2026/2027 so far, with 2 assists in 5 games. However, Dan Ndoye is Forest's top scorer with 1 in 5, giving them a very narrow edge in terms of cutting-edge at the top end.
Bukayo Saka is the most likely threat for Arsenal, and he has been in good form, with 3 goals in 5 in the Premier League 2026/2027, so he could be the difference in this match.
