Arsenal host Nottingham Forest in their Premier League opener with hopes to get three points in the bag to kickstart a memorable campaign. The last time both sides locked horns, Arsenal’s title hopes were waning and Nottingham Forest were fighting to retain their Premier League status, but all it took was a goal from Taiwo Awoniyi to add to Arsenal’s misery.
The fortunes of both sides have changed since they last met, with Arsenal making massive high-profile recruitments to further improve their side, while Nottingham Forest has been on the news for the wrong reasons, over allegations of owed salaries but they were secure the services of Matt Turner from Arsenal, and in a strange twist of faith, Turner has been registered in time to play Arsenal today. Nottingham Forest also focused on a lot of departures with Jesse Lingard, Jack Colback, Andre Ayew, Sam Surridge, Cafu and Steve Cook all leaving Forest Ground.
On the pitch, Nottingham Forest lost four of their seven preseason encounters, which included a 5-0 demolition in the hands of Stade Rennais. Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, will not rest of the improvements made last season and confirmed that his players will have to play at their best to see off the threat of Nottingham Forest,
“I’m super excited, I think it’s a new challenge and a new opportunity. We’re very fresh to start again and we’re excited to play our first game at home as it’s been a while.
“[Forest beat us last season] in a really clever way and they deserved on the day to get the points. Tomorrow we’re going to have to play better to deserve more.”
To team news, Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus would successfully went through a minor medical procedure to mitigate a knee issue. However, Arsenal has enough depth to cover for Jesus’ absence with Kai Havertz getting a run out against Manchester City in the Community Shield. Arteta can also deploy Leandro Trossard or Eddie Nketiah if required. Mohamed Elneny is still continuing his rehabilitation from his knee injury from last season. Arteta also confirmed in his press conference that Oleksandr Zinchenko is now fit, after missing the entire preseason with a calf problem. Nottingham Forest have a lot of injuries for contend with as well, with Felipe, Awoniyi, Moussa Niakhite and veteran goalie, Wayne Hennessey are unavailable for selection.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Partey, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Saka.
Nottingham Forest: Turner; Worrall, Boly, McKenna; Aurier, Yates, Danilo, Mangala, Aina; Gibbs-White, Johnson
Injury / Suspension Updates
Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus, Mo Elneny (knee)
Nottingham Foest: Wayne Hennessey, Felipe (knee), Moussa Niakhite (arm), Taiwo Awoniyi (ankle)
Form Guide
Arsenal Form
- Last Five Games: W L W D D
- Last Result: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City (Trossard 99′ | Palmer 77?)
- Leading Goalscorer: Leandro Trossard (1)
Nottingham Forest
- Last Five Games: W L L L D
- Last Result: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
- Leading Goalscorer: N/A
Gooner Daily predicts a 4 – 0 win.
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