Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest | Football Previews & Free Betting Tips | 13th September 2025
On the pitch, expect Arsenal’s usual 4-3-3 morphing into a 2-3-5 in sustained possession: wide rotations, full-backs stepping inside and a steady flow of cut-backs. Forest typically lean into a compact 4-2-3-1 that can flatten into a 4-4-2 without the ball, then break with pace through the lines. It’s control and combinations versus athletic counters and set-piece bite.
• Confirmed outs: Kai Havertz (knee surgery) and Gabriel Jesus (long-term knee) remain sidelined.
• Likely XI notes: David Raya behind a Saliba–Gabriel pairing feels standard at home, with Ben White and Jurriën Timber offering underlaps and width. Declan Rice anchors with Martin Ødegaard knitting play between lines. With a recognised nine absent, Viktor Gyökeres offers penalty-box presence; whilst Arsenal always pose a direct threat from wide areas.
Nottingham Forest
• No fresh suspensions reported. Ola Aina has been managed carefully of late and could face a late check.
• Likely XI notes: Matz Sels’ organisation is key behind Murillo’s front-foot defending. Ryan Yates and Nicolás Domínguez (or Douglas Luiz if used) bring legs in midfield, with Morgan Gibbs-White the creative conduit. Callum Hudson-Odoi drifts inside to attack the half-spaces; Taiwo Awoniyi provides the physical outlet up top.
Nottingham Forest (last 10 competitive): Mixed but competitive. The last three this season read 1-1, 2-1, 1-2, which mirrors their broader profile: about 1.3 scored and 1.6 conceded per match, clean sheets rarer on the road. Forest tend to start compact, build via Gibbs-White’s touches and look dangerous when transitions click; they concede territory but create enough from cut-backs and set-plays to carry threat.
| Metric | Arsenal | Nottingham Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Last 10 results (W–D–L) | ~6–2–2 | ~4–2–4 |
| Average goals scored per match | 2.00 | 1.33 |
| Average goals conceded per match | 0.33 (’25/26 to date) ~0.9 overall | 1.67 |
| Clean sheet rate | ~40% | ~25% |
| Average possession | 51% | 46% |
| Average corners won | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Average yellow cards | 1.33 | 2.00 |
| Shots per match (total / on target) | ~14 / ~5 (long-run), 6 / 3 early ’25/26* | 12 / 4 |
| Expected goals (xG) per match | 1.56 | 1.16 |
| Set-piece goals (for / against) | 0.3 / 0.3 | 0.3 / 0.3 |
| Pass completion | 83% | 80% |
| Tackles + interceptions | ~21 combined | ~25 combined |
| Goal timing (1st half / 2nd half) | ~50% / ~50% | ~45% / ~55% |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | 33% Over / 67% Under (’25/26 start) | 67% Over / 33% Under |
| Average points per match | 2.00 | 1.33 |
Nottingham Forest away (last 10): Competitive but inconsistent—approximately three wins, two draws and five defeats, with ~1.1 scored and ~1.6 conceded. They do nick goals on transitions and corners, but protecting leads on the road has been the sticking point.
Nottingham Forest — Morgan Gibbs-White: The away side’s best route to carving something. Finds half-spaces, draws fouls, and releases runners. His dead-ball quality is a real leveller.
Arsenal’s control, home trends and defensive numbers point to a professional job. Forest will have moments in transition, but the Gunners’ set-up—plus Gyökeres’ penalty-area presence—should yield enough chances while keeping things tight at the other end.
Value play: Under 3.5 total goals — Arsenal often control the tempo, Forest keep shape for long spells; the numbers lean to a solid but not chaotic scoreline.
AK Bets are an excellent bookmaker. Join here and get up to £100 in free bets.
KickTheBookies gives you free match previews for every game — but our Premium Members get exclusive access to high confidence bets with suggested stakes. Join today for just £10/month with a 10-day free trial.