Nottingham Forest host Arsenal at the City Ground on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in Premier League Matchweek 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30pm BST, with Forest attempting to halt a difficult run and defending champions Arsenal trying to keep pace with leaders Manchester City. Arsenal enter the weekend second, three points behind City, while Forest have collected five points from their opening six league matches.
The fixture presents an interesting contrast. Arsenal have won five of their six Premier League matches and responded to their only league defeat by beating Leeds United 2-1 before defeating Lille 3-0 in the Champions League. Forest have only one league victory, but their underlying attacking numbers are stronger than their results suggest. The Premier League notes that Forest are averaging 17.7 shots and 1.72 expected goals per game, yet their conversion rate is only 4.7 per cent.
The City Ground also provides important context. The last two Premier League meetings between these teams in Nottingham both finished 0-0, showing how effectively Forest have previously frustrated Arsenal on this ground.
Head-to-Head Summary
Arsenal have controlled the recent overall head-to-head record. Across the last 10 competitive meetings, the Gunners have won six, Nottingham Forest have won two and two matches have ended level. Arsenal have scored 20 goals across that sequence compared with only four for Forest.
That overall dominance does not fully reflect what has happened at the City Ground. Arsenal have failed to score on their last two Premier League visits, with both the February 2025 and January 2026 meetings ending goalless. Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels was particularly important in the most recent encounter, denying Bukayo Saka as Arsenal struggled to convert their territorial advantage.
Forest have also beaten Arsenal twice at home since returning to regular meetings with the Gunners, recording 1-0 victories in the 2022 FA Cup and the Premier League in May 2023. Arsenal therefore have the stronger overall record, but recent visits to Nottingham have been significantly more difficult than their home meetings with Forest.
Last 10 Meetings
January 17, 2026 — Premier League: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
September 13, 2025 — Premier League: Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
February 26, 2025 — Premier League: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
November 23, 2024 — Premier League: Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
January 30, 2024 — Premier League: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
August 12, 2023 — Premier League: Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest
May 20, 2023 — Premier League: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal
October 30, 2022 — Premier League: Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham Forest
January 9, 2022 — FA Cup: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal
September 24, 2019 — League Cup: Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham Forest
The sequence contains two very different patterns. Arsenal have been dominant at home, but Forest have repeatedly made the City Ground meeting more competitive. Four of the last five matches in Nottingham have seen Forest avoid defeat or lose by only one goal.
Nottingham Forest Current Form
Forest's last five competitive matches have produced one win, two draws and two defeats. They drew 2-2 away to Liverpool, held Tottenham Hotspur 0-0, beat Aston Villa 2-1, lost 1-0 at home to Coventry City and then suffered a 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace. They have scored five and conceded seven across that sequence.
The results are disappointing, but Oliver Glasner can point to performances that have deserved more. Forest created several excellent opportunities at Selhurst Park and took an early lead through Dan Ndoye, only for poor finishing and Palace goalkeeper Walter Benítez to prevent them from taking greater control before Palace recovered to win 3-1.
The underlying numbers reinforce that argument. Forest are averaging 17.7 shots, 1.72 expected goals, 27.3 touches in the opposition penalty area and 3.5 big chances per Premier League game. Those are their highest figures in any of the last five seasons, but their 4.7 per cent conversion rate has prevented performances from becoming points.
Forest therefore enter Sunday with five points from six matches after one win, two draws and three defeats. Their defensive structure remains competitive, but improved finishing is essential against an Arsenal defence that has been extremely difficult to break down.
Arsenal Current Form
Arsenal's last five competitive matches have produced four victories and one defeat. They beat Sunderland 2-0, defeated Ipswich Town 4-2 in the League Cup, lost 3-0 at Brighton and then responded with consecutive victories over Leeds United and Lille.
The Leeds match required patience. Arsenal trailed after James Justin scored shortly after halftime, but Riccardo Calafiori equalised before substitute Bruno Guimarães completed the 2-1 comeback. Arteta's changes significantly increased Arsenal's tempo and attacking aggression during the final half-hour.
They followed that with a 3-0 Champions League victory over Lille on Tuesday. All three goals came during the second half, continuing a recent pattern in which Arsenal have sometimes needed time to break organised opponents down.
Arsenal's Premier League record remains excellent despite the Brighton defeat. Five wins from six matches leave them on 15 points, three behind Manchester City. Their defensive numbers are especially impressive: according to the Premier League's analysis, Arsenal have the best expected-goals-against figure in the division at just 4.66.
Nottingham Forest Team News and Injuries
Morgan Gibbs-White is a major doubt. Glasner confirmed on Friday that the Forest captain suffered a minor muscle injury during the defeat at Crystal Palace and was unable to train fully during the week. He returned to individual work on Friday and could join the final full session before a decision is made.
Nikola Milenković is also doubtful but has returned to training after several weeks out with a hamstring problem and bone bruising. Glasner said the Serbian could make the matchday squad, although his long absence means a starting return is less certain.
Nicolò Savona and Igor Jesus are confirmed unavailable. Jesus remains out after suffering a calf injury, while Savona will also miss Sunday's match.
Gibbs-White's availability could be particularly important. He has created 17 Premier League chances this season, with seven big chances created and 15 chances from open play. If he cannot start, Callum Hudson-Odoi provides another attacking option behind Liam Delap.
Arsenal Team News and Injuries
Arsenal also have several important injury issues. Piero Hincapié has been ruled out of the Forest match after suffering an ankle problem in a post-match training session following the victory over Leeds. Martin Zubimendi was injured during the same session but is progressing more positively and could return to the squad on Sunday.
William Saliba remains unavailable because of the back problem he suffered during the summer. The defender has resumed individual work, but Arteta confirmed he is not yet ready for competitive action and will undergo another assessment as his rehabilitation continues.
Christos Tzolis is also out. The winger suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with Greece, although a new MRI showed encouraging progress. Arteta expects him to return within the coming weeks rather than for the City Ground trip.
Arsenal still have significant depth. Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, Bruno Guimarães, Eberechi Eze, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke give Arteta several attacking and midfield combinations, while Gabriel, Ezri Konsa, Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White are among the defensive options available.
Tactical Match Analysis
Forest's defensive organisation could again become the central tactical issue. Glasner's teams are comfortable protecting central areas and forcing opponents to circulate possession around the block. Arsenal have already experienced that problem at the City Ground, failing to score in their last two league visits despite controlling large periods of both matches.
Forest's current structure also gives them transition opportunities. Ndoye scored within three minutes at Crystal Palace, while Liam Delap gives Glasner a central forward who can occupy defenders and provide an outlet when Forest recover possession. Daniel Muñoz and Neco Williams can then advance from wider positions.
Arsenal must therefore avoid allowing their territorial control to become predictable. Ødegaard's movement between the lines and Rice's increasingly adventurous positioning could help create overloads around Forest's midfield, while Saka can isolate defenders from the right. Arteta has also demonstrated that Guimarães can change the tempo from midfield, as he did against Leeds.
Rice's evolving role is especially relevant. Arteta has moved him away from functioning primarily as a holding midfielder, allowing him to influence attacks more regularly and make forward runs. That could help Arsenal attack the space around Forest's deeper midfield rather than relying solely on crosses against a compact defensive line.
Forest's biggest opportunity may come immediately after turnovers. Arsenal's full-backs and midfielders can occupy aggressive positions during sustained attacks, potentially leaving space for Ndoye and other Forest runners. If Gibbs-White is available, his ability to find the first progressive pass after a recovery becomes particularly important.
Set pieces could also shape a tight match. Arsenal remain physically strong around dead-ball situations, while Forest have defenders and forwards capable of competing aerially. With the previous two league meetings at the City Ground producing no goals, one set-piece opportunity could carry greater importance than usual.
Key Players to Watch
Morgan Gibbs-White
Gibbs-White's inclusion depends on his late fitness test, but his importance to Forest is clear. His 17 chances created are among the highest totals in the Premier League, while he also leads the division for big chances created and chances created from open play.
If fit, he provides Forest's main connection between midfield and attack. His ability to find Ndoye or Delap quickly could be vital when Arsenal lose possession.
Dan Ndoye
Ndoye enters the fixture after scoring Forest's goal against Crystal Palace. His pace and movement give Glasner a direct transition threat, particularly if Arsenal's defensive line pushes high while trying to sustain pressure.
He may not receive many opportunities, which makes decision-making especially important. Forest need their attacking players to improve on the missed chances that have contributed to their low conversion rate.
Declan Rice
Rice has become increasingly influential further forward for Arsenal. Rather than remaining exclusively in a holding role, he is being encouraged to arrive in advanced areas and contribute more directly to attacks.
That movement could be valuable against Forest's compact shape. Arsenal will need midfielders capable of breaking defensive lines rather than simply circulating possession around them.
Bukayo Saka
Saka remains one of Arsenal's clearest sources of creativity and individual attacking quality. He came closest to scoring when these teams last met at the City Ground, forcing an excellent save from Sels during the 0-0 draw.
Forest will likely try to deny him isolated one-against-one situations, which could create additional space for Ødegaard, Rice or Arsenal's centre-forward.
What the Numbers Tell Us
Arsenal have won six of the last 10 competitive meetings, Forest have won two and two have ended in draws.
Arsenal have scored 20 goals across those 10 meetings compared with only four for Nottingham Forest.
The last two Premier League meetings at the City Ground both finished 0-0.
Arsenal have won five of their opening six Premier League matches and enter the weekend second with 15 points.
Forest have one win, two draws and three defeats from six league matches, scoring five goals and conceding eight.
Arsenal's 4.66 expected goals conceded is the best defensive figure in the Premier League, while Forest rank second at 7.21.
Forest are averaging 17.7 shots and 1.72 expected goals per league game but have converted only 4.7 per cent of their attempts.
The most interesting contrast is Forest's finishing. Their defensive numbers and chance creation suggest a more competitive team than their five-point return, but repeated missed opportunities have prevented that performance level from appearing in the table. Arsenal have been considerably more efficient at both ends.
Who Has the Statistical Edge?
Arsenal have the statistical edge. Five Premier League wins from six, the division's best expected defensive record and four victories across their last five matches in all competitions provide a substantially stronger current profile.
Their head-to-head advantage is also clear, with six victories from the last 10 competitive meetings and 20 goals scored compared with Forest's four. However, treating Arsenal as having a clear advantage would ignore what has happened specifically at the City Ground.
Forest have kept consecutive home clean sheets against Arsenal in the Premier League, and their current defensive numbers remain among the best in the division despite their poor results. Glasner's side are also creating enough chances to make the visitors uncomfortable if their finishing improves.
A draw is therefore realistic. The last two league meetings in Nottingham finished goalless, and Forest's compact defensive approach has repeatedly frustrated Arsenal. The difference this time is current momentum: Arsenal are winning consistently, while Forest have lost their last two matches.
Conclusion
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal brings together two of the Premier League's strongest underlying defensive teams but two very different sets of results. Arsenal have won five of their opening six league matches and responded to their Brighton defeat with victories over Leeds and Lille, while Forest have only five points despite producing encouraging attacking numbers.
Recent head-to-head history strongly favours Arsenal overall, but the City Ground has proved difficult for Arteta's side. Their last two Premier League visits both finished 0-0, and Forest's ability to protect central areas could again force the champions into a patient attacking game.
Gibbs-White's fitness is a major factor for Forest, while Arsenal remain without Saliba, Hincapié and Tzolis, with Zubimendi only potentially returning. Arsenal nevertheless possess greater depth, stronger current form and a more efficient attack, giving them the statistical edge. Forest's defensive record and recent home history against the Gunners mean another draw remains a credible outcome.