The early kick-off at the Emirates can turn heavy legs into heavy weather. Arsenal have to set the tone fast; Nottingham Forest arrive braver than usual and with a true No.9 in form. It’s a clash of control against courage, and tiny details will decide it.

Arsenal’s Approach

The headline is the team sheet. Bukayo Saka is out, which removes Arsenal’s usual right-side rhythm. Gabriel Jesus is still being managed, trimming penalty-area craft. If William Saliba doesn’t make it, Arsenal lose calm on the last line and a leader at set pieces. That’s a lot of personality on the sidelines — but this squad was built to survive days like this.

Look for Eberechi Eze to carry responsibility. He glides past pressure, draws double teams, and creates angles others don’t see. On the right, Noni Madueke brings pure 1v1 energy — knock-and-go, stop-and-burst, low cut-backs across the six-yard line. Without Saka’s familiar patterns, that directness matters. In midfield, Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice must win second balls and keep the tempo high; slow circulation feeds doubt, fast circulation feeds chances.

Arsenal’s rest defence will be tested if Saliba sits out. The full-backs have to pick their moments, the pivots must kill counters early, and any set piece conceded has to be treated like a crisis. Do that, and the hosts will pin Forest back and stack up the kind of pressure that breaks matches open.

Forest’s Approach

Forest won’t just survive; they’ll try to play. The full-backs will push when they can, the midfield will look for quick one-twos through the first line, and turnovers will be launched forward early. The key outlet is Morgan Gibbs-White, who turns loose balls into attacks with one brave touch.

Up front, the shirt belongs — and has belonged in the last three matches — to Chris Wood. He is a classic centre-forward: occupies centre-backs, attacks crosses, and punishes free headers in the six-yard area. If Forest can win territory on the flanks, Wood becomes a handful. One clean delivery can turn 20 minutes of defending into 20 minutes of belief.

What’s at Stake

For Arsenal: prove the plan works without the first-choice stars. For Forest: show that bravery travels, even to the Emirates. Score first and the whole tone of the game changes; concede early and it can feel like a long afternoon.

Players to Watch

• • Eberechi Eze (Arsenal): First touch into traffic, last pass to finish.
• • Noni Madueke (Arsenal): The winger who can unpick a packed side on his own.
• • Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest): Connects chaos into chances.
• • Chris Wood (Forest): Attacks the box like it’s a job description.

The X-Factor

Tempo. If Arsenal move it quickly — third-man runs, overlaps, early crosses — Forest’s block will bend. If they slow down and stare at the wall, the visitors will grow into the game and press higher.

How It Breaks

Madueke vs the Forest left side is a pressure point — especially if the full-back steps high and leaves grass behind. Eze drifting into the half-spaces behind an advancing midfielder is another. At corners and wide free-kicks, Arsenal must attack the first ball; Forest thrive on second touches and scruffy rebounds.

Prediction

Arsenal 2–1 Nottingham Forest. Not a cruise — a grind. One clean move from Eze or a low cut-back finds the finish.

Conclusion

This is a test of ideas and nerve. If Arsenal keep the pace, they keep the points. If they let the game slow, Forest and Chris Wood will make it a long, loud 90 minutes.