Nottingham Forest v Arsenal: Preview, Team News & Predictions
Arsenal will be looking to build on their massive 5-0 win over Crystal Palace, when they travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, January 30th.
Mikel Arteta’s troops fell to three defeats on the bounce, with a 0-2 loss to Liverpool in the FA Cup and the misery piled on them following a pair of clashes with London rivals, West Ham and Fulham.
They did put up a five-star viewing against the Eagles after a warm weather training camp. And having fetched another 10 days’ worth of rest, the Gunners will be ready to pounce on their chances of climbing within two points of the Premier League summit.
They’ll be up against Nuno Espirito Santo’s revitalized Forest side, who caused them heartbreak last season in the dying embers of the year. Indeed, the Tricky Trees have won each of their last three home fixtures versus Arsenal.
They’re currently four points ahead of the drop zone, having collected back-to-back league wins against Newcastle United and Manchester United, respectively, before Brentford handed them a reality check.
Earlier on Friday, they played out a stalemate against Bristol City. And while they’ll rue a replay along with missed chances, Nottingham Forest will take pride from their defensive contribution. Their opponents failed to muster a shot on target.
Team News
Nottingham Forest
With half-a-dozen players out at the Africa Cup of Nations, Forest are slightly short-staffed. Full-back Serge Aurier and Ola Aina are particularly important names to be on the absentees’ list.
Their primary goal scorer at the start of the season in Taiwo Awoniyi continues his recovery, while Anthony Elanga’s thigh injury keeps him out as well.
Nuno Tavares is ineligible to face his parent club.
Arsenal
Declan Rice’s apparent muscle soreness was the talking point in an otherwise spotless display for the Gunners last time out, as Arteta erred on the side of caution over anything else.
“He was feeling some tightness. I don’t know what muscle it was. But when he says that at 3-0 then obviously we don’t want to take any risks. The same with big Gabi. He had some discomfort from a tackle in the first half and he was struggling a bit so it was the right moment to take him off the field,” he clarified.
Thomas Partey has returned to team training, handing his side a vital boost ahead of what is set to be a strenuous business end of the season.
Jurrien Timber and Fabio Viera will be sidelined for the long-term.
Predicted XI
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Turner; Montiel, Omobamidele, Murillo, Toffolo; Mangala, Yates; Gibbs-White, Danilo, Dominguez; Wood
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Match Prediction
The hosts have grown under their new coach, quickly adapting to his attacking methods higher up on the pitch. Arsenal are, however, fresher than before and their frontline will be itching to get goals against a team that has shipped seven markers in four matches. They should be able to resurrect their title charge at the City Ground.
Predicted score: Nottingham Forest 1-3 Arsenal
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Mat Fascione. Nottingham Forest FC City Ground by Mat Fascione