Arsenal travel to the East Midlands to take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Wednesday, and we’ve got the latest team news and confirmed lineups included in our preview ahead of the action.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Preview
It’s second versus third in the Premier League on Wednesday evening as Arsenal take on European hopefuls Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, with both sides coming into the clash off the back of defeats last time out.
The Gunners, hindered by several injury concerns, were beaten 1-0 by West Ham on Saturday afternoon. To make matters worse, Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card, leaving the youngster suspended for the trip to the East Midlands.
Thanks to the result, Mikel Arteta‘s side are now 11 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.
Back home on Wednesday. 🏡 pic.twitter.com/hRjRDeHQ3S
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 24, 2025
Forest, meanwhile, are six points behind Arsenal after a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle in Gameweek 26. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men raced to a sixth-minute lead through Callum Hudson-Odoi at St. James’ Park, but the Magpies struck back with four before half-time. The Reds responded with two goals of their own in the second period but were unable to find a leveller.
The two-time European champions have now lost three of their last four matches in the league, having also suffered defeats to Fulham and Bournemouth in recent weeks, while they overcame Brighton 7-0 at the start of the month.
Wednesday’s clash will be the second time that the pair have met this term. Their first meeting, back in Gameweek 12, ended 3-0 in favour of the Gunners at the Emirates, with Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri grabbing the goals. A victory at the City Ground will extend Arsenal‘s winning run over Forest to four straight matches.
Nottingham Forest Team News
There’s just one injury concern within Nuno’s squad for Arsenal’s visit, and that’s with backup goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, who is ruled out with a thigh injury after being forced off in the FA Cup win over Exeter earlier in the month.
With no injury concerns or suspensions among their regular starters, the Reds are able to field their best XI. This likely means that the back line will consist of Matz Sels, Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo and Neco Williams.
Elliot Anderson starts in midfield, alongside either Nicolas Dominguez or Ryan Yates, and Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood should make up the attack.
Arsenal Team News
As for the Gunners, they remain without Gabriel Jesus (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Kai Havertz (thigh), Saka (thigh) and Gabriel Martinelli (thigh). As previously mentioned, Lewis-Skelly is also unavailable due to suspension.
Nwaneri is also a minor doubt after being withdrawn with suspected fatigue in the defeat to West Ham.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Confirmed Lineups
Nottingham Forest Lineup:
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Arsenal Lineup:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Nwaneri, Trossard, Merino
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Prediction
With both sides looking to bounce back from their defeats at the weekend, the UK’s best football betting sites have Arsenal as 19/20 favourites to prevail on Wednesday, while a draw is rated at 13/5 and a Forest win is priced at 29/10.
We at SportsCasting also see the Gunners as narrow favourites, and are predicting a tight 2-1 win for the North Londoners to extend their winning run over Forest to four consecutive league matches.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
