Preview: Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

The Gunners went down 2-0 to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League on Thursday, while Steve Cooper's men bested Liverpool 1-0 last weekend.

Match preview

While taking nothing away from PSV Eindhoven's stellar performance at the Philips Stadion - Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons in particular terrorized the Arsenal backline - it is fair to say that the result had been coming for Mikel Arteta's side.

As impressive as their winning streak had been, the Gunners had failed to convince against Bodo/Glimt, Leeds United or PSV in the previous week, and strikes from Luuk de Jong and Joey Veerman means that Arteta's men have it all to do against FC Zurich next week to seal a last-16 spot.

Having exploded out of the blocks against Southampton last week, the Gunners were also pegged back by Ralph Hasenhuttl's side - one of a string of less-than-dominant performances that have led to a touch of apprehension creeping in - but as things stand, Arsenal are still sitting pretty at the top of the table.

Arteta's men could have been knocked down to second by the time Sunday rolls around if Manchester City get the better of Leicester City on Saturday, but a return to home comforts is just what the doctor ordered for an Arsenal side that are in evident need of a pick-me-up.

Indeed, the Gunners head into Sunday's game on a 10-game winning streak at the Emirates in all competitions - including each of their last eight in the Premier League - but they have failed to keep a single top-flight clean sheet in that run, and Forest know a thing or two about stunning the big boys.

Not since Newcastle United in November 2010 has a newly-promoted side come away from a Premier League clash at the Emirates with all three points to their name, but Nottingham Forest and their newfound defensive resilience should fear no team after putting Liverpool to the sword.

Former Reds striker Taiwo Awoniyi reacted quickest to a loose ball to fire home in the 55th minute, and it took more brilliant goalkeeping from Dean Henderson to keep Liverpool at bay in the dying embers - there would be no second Premier League goal for Alisson Becker despite his best efforts.

Having also managed to hold Brighton & Hove Albion to a goalless draw on the South Coast, the Tricky Trees are indeed proving a tricky team to break down at present, but their position in the table is still a precarious one as they occupy 20th place - two points adrift of safety.

Conceding just two goals in their last four games means that Forest's stern defence should prove a true test of Arsenal's attacking mettle, but Cooper's side have picked up just two wins on the road this term and have failed to score in each of their last four away matches ahead of the club's first-ever visit to the Emirates Stadium.

However, Cooper and co will have fond memories of their FA Cup third-round win over Arsenal back in January, but not since the Brian Clough days of 1989 have they won a league match at the home of the Gunners, who would do well to rediscover their golden touch and quell any murmurs of discontent.

Arsenal Premier League form:

L

W

W

W

W

D

Arsenal form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

D

L

Nottingham Forest Premier League form:

L

L

D

L

D

W

Team News

Injury was added to insult for Arsenal in the wake of their defeat to PSV, as key defender Gabriel Magalhaes was spotted limping back to the team coach with an as yet unspecified injury, so Arteta could be forced into an unplanned rejig here.

Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) and Emile Smith Rowe (groin) remain sidelined, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is a perennial doubt with a calf problem. Marquinhos (illness) and Matt Turner (groin) also missed out in midweek and are uncertain as well, but both players would only apply for places on the bench at best.

Should Gabriel be ruled out of this contest, Ben White could shift across to partner William Saliba at centre-back, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney bombing down the flanks. Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka - who has been penalized twice for diving in Arsenal's last two games - will also be among the players to return to the first XI.

As for the visitors, the quartet of Omar Richards (calf), Jack Colback (back), Harry Toffolo (hamstring) and Moussa Niakhate (thigh) remain sidelined, while Lewis O'Brien has been dealing with a particularly nasty illness.

It remains to be seen if O'Brien will have recovered sufficiently in time for the trip to the Emirates, but Cooper should leave his starting lineup largely untouched following their memorable success over Liverpool.

Jesse Lingard endured another fruitless afternoon and was taken off just after the hour mark, though, meaning that Brennan Johnson will be eyeing an immediate recall to the first XI.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Saliba, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Henderson; Aurier, Cook, McKenna, Williams; Yates, Kouyate, Freuler; Gibbs-White, Awoniyi, Johnson

We say: Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest

Arsenal facing newly-promoted teams at the Emirates usually only ever ends one way, but the fatigued Gunners can take nothing for granted versus a Forest side who are growing in confidence by the week, especially with Arteta's side consistently failing to keep the opposition at bay at home.

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