Arsenal Travel to Nottingham, and Forest Need a Upset to Stop Them

Arsenal head to the City Ground on Sunday in second place with 15 points from six Premier League matches, while Nottingham Forest sit 17th with five. It is a classic favourite-against-underdog set-up, and the question for Forest is whether they can turn their home ground into the fortress it has not yet been this season.

Form that points in different directions

Arsenal have won five of their six league games, scoring ten goals and conceding five. Their last five matches have produced seven goals for and five against, a steady if not spectacular return.

Forest have had a much harder start. They have one win, two draws and three defeats, with five goals scored and eight conceded. Their last five have brought an average of one goal scored and 1.4 conceded per game. At home they have yet to win, picking up one draw and two defeats from three matches.

Head-to-head

Forest have not beaten Arsenal in their last five meetings. Arsenal have won three of those, including 3-0 victories in November 2024 and September 2025, while the two other games ended 0-0. The most recent meeting at the City Ground finished goalless in January.

Team news

Forest will be without Igor Jesus (calf) and N. Savona (knee). M. Gibbs-White and N. Milenkovic (knee) are both doubtful.

Arsenal are missing P. Hincapie (ankle), W. Saliba (back) and C. Tzolis (hamstring), while M. Zubimendi is doubtful with an ankle problem.

Our prediction

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal have the stronger squad and the better away record, and the absences at the back are a concern, but Forest have shown they can keep matches tight. We expect a difficult afternoon for the hosts in front of goal, though a late nervous spell at the City Ground is possible. Arsenal should have enough to win, but Forest can make it a contest.