Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are back in Premier League action this weekend after the recent international break.
The Gunners suffered a 1-0 loss against Liverpool in their previous league match at Anfield on August 31. Forest, meanwhile, endured a 3-0 defeat against West Ham United at City Ground in what proved to be Nuno Espirito Santo's final game in charge.
Fittingly, new head coach Ange Postecoglou, the former Tottenham Hotspur boss, will now begin his tenure at Forest with a visit to his old club's fiercest local rivals.
Arsenal have a good record against Forest, with 10 victories and only two defeats in 16 Premier League meetings. They have never lost to them at Emirates Stadium, with their last home defeat to the team from the Midlands coming in 1989.
MORE: How a "deeply personal" falling-out led to Nuno's sacking by Forest
Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Manager Mikel Arteta offered a surprise update on William Saliba's ankle injury on Friday. The defender was able to train earlier that day, meaning he could be in contention to face Forest. Ben White has also been cleared to return after two games out.
Bukayo Saka, who suffered a hamstring injury, and Kai Havertz, who has a knee issue, are out. Gabriel Jesus sustained a cruciate ligament tear in January this year and is expected to return to the pitch by the end of next month.
The game against Forest could see Eberechi Eze receive his first start for Arsenal after making his debut at Anfield. The 27-year-old joined the Gunners from Crystal Palace on a four-year deal reportedly worth over £60 million ($81m) late in the transfer window.
Arsenal predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori — Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice — Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze
Injured: Jesus (ACL), Saliba (ankle, doubt), Norgaard (knock), Saka (hamstring), Havertz (knee)
Suspended: None
This will be quite the opening test for Postecoglou, appointed Forest head coach following the dismissal of Nuno, who was in charge since 2023.
The Australian's main injury headache concerns Nicolas Dominguez, who is missing due to a knee injury. Otherwise, the big questions concern how Postecoglou will go about setting up a team that was adept at carrying out low-possession, counter-attacking football under his predecessor.
Nottingham Forest predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sels (GK) — Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams — Anderson, Yates — McAtee, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi — Wood
Injured: Dominguez (knee)
Suspended: None
Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest match details
- Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
- Kickoff time: 12.30 p.m. local / 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT
- Location: Emirates Stadium, London (England)
- Competition: Premier League
- Referee: Darren England
- VAR: Andy Madley
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