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Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest odds and betting statistics
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Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest match preview
Having run Manchester City so very close last season, can Arsenal go again and end their 20-year wait for a Premier League title?
Last time round, the Gunners led the league for 258 days, a new record for a side not going on to win the title, but stumbled towards the end, eventually finishing five points adrift Man City.
Nevertheless, it was still a gigantic leap forward for Mikel Arteta’s team, given that Arsenal will be back in the Champions League, featuring in Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in seven seasons.
The positivity in North London continued last Sunday as the Gunners picked up the FA Community Shield at Wembley.
Just as they looked set to suffer yet another defeat against Manchester City, Leandro Trossard’s deflected shot, coming in the 11th minute of injury time, forced a penalty shootout.
Martin Ødegaard, Trossard and Bukayo Saka all held their nerve from 12 yards, while Kevin De Bruyne thwacked the crossbar, before Aaron Ramsdale denied Rodri.
Of course, the Gunners didn’t set out to win the Community Shield, but this is another sign of progress, with fans hoping that it’ll be the first of much more success to come.
All of that optimism will go up in a puff of smoke if Arsenal drop points here, especially as the visitors had the worst away record of any side in the Premier League last season.
Nottingham Forest made 31 new signings during the last campaign and this equated to them picking up 38 points, thereby maintaining their Premier League status.
Steve Cooper’s side actually made mathematically sure of safety by beating Arsenal 1-0 back in May, one of the most famous nights the City Ground has witnessed in recent times.
Following a much quieter summer by the River Trent, the Reds’ sole aim once again will be to stay up.
As mentioned, Forest one only once away from home throughout the entirety last season, this against Nathan Jones’ Southampton back in January.
Also, the Reds are without a win away to Arsenal since 1989, losing both outings at the Emirates 5-0.
So, anything other than a home win in this Saturday lunchtime fixture would be a major surprise.
Arsenal team news
The Gunners are without Oleksandr Zinchenko, who hasn’t featured since Easter, and Gabriel Jesus, who’s set to miss the first two months of the season following a reoccurrence of his knee injury.
Without Jesus, Kai Havertz, somewhat surprisingly, led the line in the Community Shield, going close twice but his lack of cutting edge in-front of goal was clear for all to see.
So, Leandro Trossard, who’s been on fire in pre-season, or Eddie Nketiah, who’s the most obvious centre-forward option, could come in this time.
Arsenal’s other two new signings will both start, with Jurriën Timber keeping his place at left-back, having impressed at Wembley, while club-record signing Declan Rice will also be looking to star.
David Raya has arrived from Brentford but, for now, Aaron Ramsdale remains the number one.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Havertz, Ødegaard; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Nottingham Forest team news
Speaking of goalkeepers, Matt Turner will be donning the gloves for Nottingham Forest, mere days after joining from Arsenal.
This’ll actually be the American’s Premier League debut, with all seven of his Arsenal appearances coming in the Europa League or FA Cup.
Only one player has made more appearances for Arsenal without ever featuring in a league game, this being Jeff Reine-Adélaïde.
Alongside Turner, Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga are in line to make their Forest debuts, but key centre-back Felipe, who arrived in January, is out injured.
Predicted XI (5-3-2): Turner; Aurier, Worrall, Boly, McKenna, Aina; Danilo, Mangala, Yates; Gibbs-White, Johnson.
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