Arsenal’s finishing meets Forest’s home struggle at the City Ground

Arsenal need one more win to make it 10 in 11 games this season. Nottingham Forest’s recent home record gives Mikel Arteta’s side an opening: Forest have won just once in their last 14 Premier League matches at the City Ground.

Forest’s problem has not been a lack of chances. Arsenal analyst Adrian Clarke says they have created the second-highest number of big chances in the Premier League but converted only 4.72 per cent of their attempts. They missed several opportunities in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, and Oliver Glasner said finishing was the focus in training.

Glasner has taken one win from six league games since arriving, with a victory away to Aston Villa followed by defeats to Leeds United and Coventry City and a 0-0 draw with Tottenham. Forest also lost at home to Leeds in the League Cup. Chris Wood’s advice to his team-mates, as relayed by Glasner, was to stay confident and trust that “there’s always another one around the corner.”

There are attacking threats for Arsenal to manage. Clarke highlighted Morgan Gibbs-White, Dan Ndoye and James McAtee: Ndoye has been positive taking on defenders, while McAtee has created 11 chances from open play. Gibbs-White is a doubt after missing most of Forest’s training week with a minor muscle injury. Nikola Milenkovic has returned to training, but Igor Jesus is out with a calf issue and Nicolo Savona remains sidelined after knee surgery.

Arsenal have won six of their last eight Premier League away games, keeping four clean sheets. But the City Ground has been less welcoming: they have won only once in their last six visits, including two consecutive goalless draws. Arsenal’s broader record against Forest is stronger, with 10 wins in their last 15 meetings in all competitions and nine clean sheets.

Martin Zubimendi could be available after an ankle injury, while Piero Hincapie is expected to miss a few more weeks. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Riccardo Calafiori could return after being rested against Lille.

Arsenal’s recent results make them favourites to extend their run, but Forest’s chance creation gives them a route into the game. Turning those openings into goals is the test that will decide whether the home side can disrupt Arsenal’s push to keep pace with the league leaders.