Nottingham Forest v Arsenal: Line-ups, stats and preview

Mikel Arteta senses this could be a special season for Arsenal but that will count for nothing unless they maintain their recent performance levels.

The Gunners are still fighting on four fronts – the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, in which they secured a 3-2 semi-final, first leg lead with a 3-2 victory at Chelsea on Wednesday night.

They start the weekend with a six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League, although that may be trimmed to three by the time they kick-off at Nottingham Forest tomorrow tea-time with closest challengers Manchester City playing earlier in the day.

“I think we are building very good momentum, and belief comes from performances, and the level of consistency that we have shown through our 32 games already this season. And what we did the other day at Stamford Bridge, it should help us to be very convinced,” said Arteta. 

“But the reality is that you have to show it in every game and there’s still so much to happen. But we are glad that we are still alive in the four competitions.”

Arsenal have been successful this season without major summer signing Viktor Gyokeres hitting top form but the Sweden striker looked back to his best in midweek, netting at Chelsea and turning in a much-improved display.

“He’s a very demanding person, he knows the level that we need, and basically he really wants to fulfil everything that we expect of him,” said Arteta. “He’s been trying, he’s been very consistent and I thought that against Chelsea he had a great game and scored a goal that helped us to win the game.”

Gyokeres will need to produce again at the City Ground against what is expected to be a typically physical Sean Dyche team.

Arteta said of the former Everton boss: “A top coach, really good at what he does. You can see straight away the fingerprints in the team, the way they play, the results that they got against some of the big teams as well, how difficult they constantly make it for you, so experienced in the league, so a very tough match. 

“Winning away from home in the Premier League is extremely tough. They are a team that we have beat over the last few years and we have done a lot of things right to beat a really good team. With Sean, they are different, very, very efficient in what they do, very clear identity and that’s what makes them very dangerous.”

Dyche cut an angry figure last Friday night after his side were dumped out of the FA Cup at Championship side Wrexham, suggesting that some of his players needed to “look in the mirror”.

He will revert to a more familiar line-up tomorrow as his team attempt to widen the seven-point gap between themselves and the bottom three.

He said: “It is about pushing for more. We were in a pretty harsh position when we got here, two points inside the relegation zone and now we are seven points out of it so there are clear signs of change but we want more. It is not just about keeping looking over your shoulder. We have to be realistic but we have got to want more.”

Team News for Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

Arteta said he had a doubt over one unspecified player but, other than that, it will be the same squad that was named for the game at Chelsea.

The likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo, rested at Wrexham, will start for Forest while Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare are back from AFCON. Midfielder Ryan Yates is also fit.

Predicted line-ups for Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

Nottingham Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus

Arsenal: Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres

How to watch Nottingham Forest v Arsenal: TV and online streams

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal kicks off tomorrow at 5.30pm UK time. You can watch it on Sky Sports and stream via the Sky Go app.

If you don’t live in the UK, click HERE, to discover which station may be showing the game in your region.

Stats for Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

• Nottingham Forest have lost eight of their last 10 Premier League games against Arsenal
• Only West Ham (8) and Wolves (8) have lost more Premier League home games this season than Forest (6)

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