Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction & Lineups
Arsenal hit the road with a trip to face Nottingham Forest in a bid to continue their recent winning form on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners overcame a tough test to beat Lille 3-0 in their last outing, ensuring their 100% start to the Champions League league phase continued. Jurrien Timber broke the deadlock with a fine finish before Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka got in on the act to seal the victory.
Forest were last in action a week ago, falling to a 3-1 defeat away to Crystal Palace. Dan Ndoye had put the visitors in front after just three minutes at Selhurst Park, but Daichi Kamada, Jefferson Lerma and Yéremy Pino all found the back of the net to turn it around.
As Mikel Arteta's Premier League champions still find themselves in second place, three points behind table toppers Manchester City, winning at Forest will be crucial to maintain early pressure while Oliver Glasner will be aware that his side need to find consistent winning form sooner rather than later.
Here's our preview of Arsenal's trip to face Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction & Lineups
What time does Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal kick off?
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal kicks off on Sunday 18 October at 16:30 BST.
When is kick off? Sunday 18 October, 2026
What time is kick off? 16:30 BST
Where is it played? City Ground
Referee: Michael Oliver
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal head-to-head record
| Club | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | 29 | 24 | 56 |
| Arsenal | 56 | 24 | 29 |
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal last five meetings
| Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 17 January 2026 | Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 13 September 2025 | Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 26 February 2025 | Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 23 November 2024 | Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 30 January 2024 | Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal | Premier League |
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
| Country | TV channel/radio/live stream |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports Main Event |
| United States | Peacock |
| Australia | Stan Sport |
| Canada | Fubo |
Nottingham Forest team news
Olivier Glasner has been dealt a devastating and unexpected blow as Morgan Gibbs-White may be absent for the visit of Arsenal. The England international suffered a muscular issue against Palace and is a doubt after missing training most of the week.
He would be a significant miss for Forest as he has been key to their attacking output this season, boasting seven big chances created so far in the campaign.
Nikola Milenkovic could be in line for a return to action after returning to training following a knee injury, but Igor Jesus and Nicolo Savona will continue their spells on the sidelines with their respective injuries.
Predicted Nottingham Forest lineup vs Arsenal: Sels; Aina, Diomande, Murillo; Munoz, Schlager, McAtee, Williams; Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Delap
Arsenal team news
Piero Hincapié and Martín Zubimendi were both missing from Arsenal's midweek win over Lille and while the Ecuadorian is set to join Christos Tzolis and William Saliba as a guaranteed absentee for the trip to Forest, the Spaniard may be in line for a swift return after Mikel Arteta confirmed he has looked much better.
While the Gunners boss is likely to change his side around from the visit of the four-time French champions, there won't be any room for Zubimendi with Declan Rice, Bruno Guimarães and Martin Ødegaard likely to make up the midfield.
Kai Havertz should return up front in place of Viktor Gyökeres with Eberechi Eze keeping a hold on the left wing spot after impressing in the late stages of the win against Lille. Riccardo Calafiori will likely return to support behind at left back with Jurrien Timber remaining on the opposite side of defence.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Nottingham Forest: Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Ødegaard, Guimarães, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Eze
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal score prediction
Forest has been a difficult place for Arsenal to go under Mikel Arteta, failing to win in four of their five visits to the City Ground with the Spaniard. Two matches have ended in a 0-0 draw while two have finished 1-0 to the hosts, with the Gunners winning the other 2-1 in 2024.
There is no doubt that Glasner's side will trouble the North Londoners once again in this match, but Arteta should fancy his team's chances of taking three points back to the capital. Forest are yet to win at home this season and have taken just one point from three matches, holding Tottenham to a goalless stalemate and losing to Leeds United and Coventry City.
If Arsenal are to win at Forest tomorrow afternoon, it will certainly be by a slender scoreline with this one set to be a tight affair with the Gunners having just enough to prevail.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal
