Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest: Injuries, New Faces, and Big Decisions
This weekend’s Premier League clash between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest is shaping up to be full of storylines, uncertainty, and a touch of drama. Arsenal, who were beaten by Liverpool just before the international break, will be eager to get back to winning ways at the Emirates. But as usual, the build-up has been dominated by team news, injuries, and a few potential surprises in Mikel Arteta’s lineup.
Let’s start with the headline: Eberechi Eze. Arsenal’s big-money summer signing, who joined from Crystal Palace for over £60 million, could be set for his first start in an Arsenal shirt. He made his debut at Anfield a couple of weeks ago, coming off the bench late on, but this weekend might be his moment to truly announce himself to the Emirates crowd. If he does come in, it will likely be at the expense of Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank.
However, Arsenal’s injury list is a real concern. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are definitely out with knee problems. William Saliba and Bukayo Saka are both major doubts. Saliba hurt his ankle against Liverpool, while Saka is dealing with a hamstring strain. If those two don’t make it, Noni Madueke, who impressed during England duty, is expected to step in for Saka, while young Cristhian Mosquera could get a start at centre-back. Ben White, meanwhile, has been out recently but is pushing to be fit in time. New signing Piero Hincapié is also in the squad and could make his debut.
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On the other side, Nottingham Forest are in the spotlight for a very different reason. The club has just parted ways with Nuno EspÃrito Santo, despite him guiding them into Europe last season. His departure was reportedly down to disagreements behind the scenes rather than results. In his place comes Ange Postecoglou, who wasted no time returning to management after being sacked by Tottenham. And fittingly, his first game is against Arsenal, Spurs’ fiercest rivals.
Forest’s record against Arsenal isn’t great. They’ve won just two of their 16 Premier League meetings, and both of those were at the City Ground. At the Emirates, Arsenal have been dominant, winning their last six home games against Forest with an aggregate score of 19-2. So, the challenge facing Postecoglou is huge.
Still, Forest fans will be eager to see how his attacking, high-energy style takes shape compared to Nuno’s more cautious, counter-attacking approach. Players like Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood, and new signing Dilane Bakwa could play key roles as the team adjusts.
For Arsenal, this match isn’t just about three points. It’s about showing they can bounce back quickly, manage their injuries, and integrate their new signings into a system that keeps them competing at the top. The Emirates will expect nothing less than a win, and with Champions League action just around the corner, Arteta knows the pressure is very much on.
So, whether it’s Eze making his first start, Mosquera stepping up, or Postecoglou trying to cause an upset on his Forest debut, Saturday’s early kickoff has all the ingredients of a fascinating contest.
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