Today, September 13, 2025, Arsenal host Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium in a mouthwatering Premier League encounter set for a 12:30 p.m. BST kickoff. Coming off a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in midweek, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners will be eager to rediscover their ruthless edge against a Forest side that’s undergone a managerial shake-up. This Gameweek 4 fixture pits two teams with contrasting momentum: Arsenal, sitting third in the table with a stout defensive record (just one goal conceded), against a mid-table Forest outfit scrambling for stability under new boss Ange Postecoglou.
#### Recent Form and Standings
Arsenal’s start to the 2025-26 campaign has been solid if not spectacular, blending domestic dominance with a mixed bag in Europe. They’ve notched convincing wins like a 5-0 thrashing of Leeds United and a gritty 1-0 victory over Manchester United, but the Liverpool loss exposed vulnerabilities in attack during a Champions League qualifier. Overall, the Gunners have won three of their opening league games, scoring six while keeping a clean sheet in each—testament to their backline solidity under Arteta. However, that midweek setback means pressure is mounting to maintain pace with leaders like Liverpool and Chelsea.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, languish in 10th with four points from a 1-1-1 record. Their season kicked off with a promising 3-1 upset over Brentford, but they’ve since stuttered: a goalless draw in Saudi Arabia during preseason bled into a 1-1 stalemate with Crystal Palace and a humbling 3-0 loss to West Ham last time out. The sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo this week and Postecoglou’s arrival—fresh from Tottenham—adds intrigue. Postecoglou’s high-pressing, expansive style could inject energy, but Forest’s away form remains a concern, with only one win in their last five road trips across all competitions.
#### Team News and Tactical Tweaks
Injuries have hit Arsenal hard, forcing Arteta into creative selection. Key absences include Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Kai Havertz (knock), Gabriel Jesus (long-term knee issue), and William Saliba (muscle strain), sidelining much of their forward firepower and central defense. Ben White and Christian Nørgaard are back in training but unlikely to feature from the start, potentially paving the way for a debut cameo from summer signing Piero Hincapié. Expect a reshuffled back four with Cristhian Mosquera partnering Gabriel at center-back, Jurrien Timber at right-back, and Riccardo Calafiori on the left. Up top, Viktor Gyokeres could lead the line alongside Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, with Martin Zubimendi anchoring midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard.
Forest aren’t faring much better defensively. Ola Aina faces hamstring surgery and could miss the rest of 2025, while Nicolás Dominguez remains sidelined until autumn. Oleksandr Zinchenko, ironically ineligible against his parent club, leaves a void at left-back. Postecoglou might lean on a familiar 4-2-3-1, with Matz Sels in goal behind a backline of Loic Bade, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Midfield duo Elliot Anderson and Danilo could shield Morgan Gibbs-White, with Callum Wilson up front—though Chris Wood’s experience might edge him into the XI for this test.
#### What to Expect on the Pitch
This matchup screams goals at one end, if not both. Arsenal’s home form is ferocious—they’ve won their last seven league games at the Emirates—and their press should overwhelm Forest’s transitional setup early. Look for Ødegaard pulling strings in the final third, feeding Gyokeres’ predatory instincts, while Rice’s engine room dominance could neutralize Gibbs-White’s creativity. Forest, under Postecoglou, will aim to counter with pace from Hudson-Odoi and Ndoye, exploiting Arsenal’s depleted wings, but their recent defensive frailty (conceding three to West Ham) suggests they’ll struggle to contain the hosts’ set-piece threats.
Tactically, expect Arsenal to control possession (around 65%) and probe patiently, perhaps rotating to manage fatigue ahead of a Champions League date with Athletic Club midweek. Forest might park the bus initially before unleashing waves of attacks, but Postecoglou’s debut win against Arteta feels like a tall order. Referee Darren England will need to keep a lid on any spicy exchanges—Arsenal’s last five meetings with Forest yielded three wins for the Gunners, one for the visitors, and a memorable 0-0 draw earlier this year.
#### Possibilities of Arsenal Winning
Arsenal enter as overwhelming favorites, with odds implying an 80% chance of victory. Their superior squad depth, home advantage, and historical edge (10 wins in 16 head-to-heads) make a home win the most likely outcome. A 3-1 scoreline feels spot-on: the Gunners netting twice before halftime through quick transitions, Forest snatching a consolation via a Gibbs-White special, but Arsenal sealing it late. That said, upsets aren’t impossible—Forest’s new-manager bounce and Arsenal’s injury crisis could lead to a cagey draw (20% probability) if Postecoglou’s tactics click. A Forest shock win? Slim at 10%, barring a Saka-level absence turning into a full-blown meltdown.
In short, this is Arsenal’s game to dominate and declare their title intent. A convincing win would catapult them toward the top two, silencing doubters after the Liverpool dip. Fans, buckle up—expect fireworks, but with the Emirates faithful roaring, the Gunners should emerge triumphant. COYG!
