Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Preview, prediction, injury news & lineups | Premier League 2026-27
Forest face a tough challenge against the Gunners’ in-form attack.
Nottingham Forest face Arsenal in Premier League 2026-27 Matchweek 7, with both sides looking to improve their table position. Forest have collected five points from their opening six league matches, while the Gunners have won five of their first six.
Forest come into the match after a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace. Oliver Glasner’s side have struggled for consistency, with two draws, two defeats and one win across their last five league fixtures.
Arsenal beat Leeds United 2-1 in their most recent league match. Mikel Arteta’s side have also won eight of their first nine matches across all competitions this season, according to NBC Sports, and will aim to maintain that momentum away from home.
Kick-off Details
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
- Competition: Premier League 2026-27
- Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Time: 4:30 PM BST, 9:00 PM IST
- Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- VAR: In use
Form
Nottingham Forest: L-L-W-D-D
Arsenal: W-W-L-W-W
Players to watch out for
Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)
Gibbs-White will be key to Forest’s attack, operating behind Delap and creating chances for the forward line. His ability to find space between the Gunners’ midfield and defence could help the hosts create scoring opportunities.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Bukayo Saka has scored three Premier League goals in six appearances. He also has a strong record against Forest, with three goals and two assists in six league appearances against them.
Match Facts
- Arsenal have won 56 of the 109 competitive meetings between the sides, compared with 29 wins for Nottingham Forest and 24 draws.
- Forest have won only one of their last 11 league meetings with Arsenal, drawing twice and losing eight.
- The last two Premier League meetings between the sides at Forest’s home ground ended 0-0.
- Arsenal and Forest played out a goalless draw at the City Ground on January 17, 2026.
- The match is scheduled for October 18, 2026, at the City Ground in Premier League Matchweek 7, with Michael Oliver appointed as referee.
Betting tips & odds
- Tip 1: Arsenal to win – 3/5 with bet365.
- Tip 2: Bukayo Saka to score anytime – 21/10 with bet365.
- Tip 3: Kai Havertz to score anytime – 7/4 with bet365.
Injury & team news
Nottingham Forest are expected to be without Nicolò Savona, Nikola Milenković and Igor Jesus, who are all listed as injured. Liam Delap is expected to lead the attack, supported by Morgan Gibbs-White and Dan Ndoye.
Arsenal will be without William Saliba and Christos Tzolis. Piero Hincapié is also listed as unavailable by FotMob, while Martín Zubimendi is a doubt with a knock. Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard are expected to return to the starting lineup after featuring from the bench against Lille.
Head-to-head stats
- Matches Played: 12
- Nottingham Forest: 03
- Arsenal: 07
- Draw: 02
Predicted Lineup
Nottingham Forest (3-4-2-1)
Matz Sels; Ola Aina, Ousmane Diomande, Murillo; Daniel Muñoz, Xaver Schlager, James McAtee, Neco Williams; Morgan Gibbs-White, Dan Ndoye; Liam Delap.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
David Raya; Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori; Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Noni Madueke; Kai Havertz.
Telecast Details
US: Peacock, NBC Sports Network
UK: Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports+ app (Great Britain), NOW, Sky Sports UHD 1, Sky Sports Main Event UHD.
India: JioHotstar, Star Sports 3, Star Sports Select 1.
Nigeria: SuperSport MaXimo 1, Canal+ Afrique, DStv Now
When is Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal?
The match takes place on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 4:30 pm BST (9:00 pm IST).
Where will the Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal match be played?
The fixture will take place at the City Ground in Nottingham.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.