Arsenal travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest in a Premier League clash that pits the league leaders against a side hovering just above the relegation zone. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:30 on Saturday 17th January 2026 with the Gunners aiming to maintain their title momentum and Forest desperate for points to avoid being dragged deeper into trouble.
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Premier League |
| Matchday | 22 |
| Date | Saturday 17 January 2026 |
| Kick-off Time | 17:30 |
| Venue | The City Ground |
| Broadcast | Sky Sports Main Event |
| Market | Prediction | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Result | Arsenal win | ★★★★☆ |
| Correct Score | 0-2 Arsenal | ★★★☆☆ |
| Both Teams to Score | No | ★★★☆☆ |
| Over/Under 2.5 Goals | Under 2.5 | ★★★☆☆ |
Analysis: Arsenal boast the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 14 goals in 21 matches and keeping 10 clean sheets. Their defence is well-drilled and disciplined, with only 29 yellow cards and no reds, and they have proven adept at shutting down teams with limited attacking threat. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, have scored just 21 goals all season and have failed to find the net in 8 of their 21 league outings. Arsenal’s ability to control possession (averaging 58.1%) and Forest’s negative goal difference (-13) suggest the Gunners are well-placed to record another clean sheet, especially given Forest’s struggles against top sides.
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Analysis: Saka remains a creative force for Arsenal, racking up assists through incisive passing and set-piece delivery. Arsenal’s attacking output is spread across positions, but Saka’s involvement in both open play and dead ball situations makes him a prime candidate to notch an assist against a Forest defence that has conceded 34 times, including 9 headed goals and numerous set-piece opportunities. With Arsenal’s full-backs and midfielders also pushing forward, Saka’s influence in the final third is likely to be significant.
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Arsenal are top of the Premier League, having taken 49 points from 21 games and losing just twice all season. They have scored 40 goals (1.90 per game) and conceded only 14 (0.67 per game), underlining their dominance at both ends of the pitch. Their performances are backed up by an xG of 41.03, indicating that their attacking output is sustainable rather than fortunate. Their recent run has included comfortable wins and several clean sheets.
Nottingham Forest, in contrast, sit 17th, just two points above the drop zone, with 21 points from 21 matches. They have won only 6 times, drawn 3, and lost 12, scoring 21 and conceding 34. Forest’s xG of 27.35 suggests they are underperforming in attack, while their defensive record is among the worst in the division. They have managed just 3 clean sheets all season and regularly concede from both open play and set pieces.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have favoured a 4-3-3 formation, prioritising possession football, high pressing, and fluid positional interchanges. Their pass accuracy sits at 85.23%, and they enjoy the lion’s share of the ball, averaging over 58% possession per match. Arsenal’s attacking threat is multi-faceted, with goals coming from strikers (11), midfielders (15), and defenders (6), and they are particularly dangerous on set pieces with 386 crosses and 118 corners so far.
Sean Dyche’s Forest typically employ a reactive 4-2-3-1, focusing on defensive solidity and transitions. Their pass accuracy is respectable at 82.99%, but they see less of the ball (49.8% average possession) and tend to concede territory to stronger sides. Forest’s physical approach is evident in their high number of fouls (228 conceded, 239 won), but they struggle to withstand sustained pressure, as shown by their 34 goals conceded and only 3 clean sheets. Expect Forest to sit deep, absorb pressure, and attempt to counter through pacey attackers like Hudson-Odoi or Awoniyi.
| Statistic | Nottingham Forest | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| League Position | 17th | 1st |
| Goals Scored | 21 | 40 |
| Goals Conceded | 34 | 14 |
| Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-13 | Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 2024-11-23 | Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 2025-02-26 | Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 2024-01-30 | Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 2023-08-12 | Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s most influential wide man, combining creative flair with a high work rate and tactical intelligence. Over the course of the season, Saka has consistently been involved in Arsenal’s attacking play, contributing with both goals and assists. While not topping the league charts, he remains central to the Gunners’ approach, featuring prominently in build-up play and set pieces. With Arsenal’s attack capable of spreading goals across the team, Saka’s ability to create chances, his shot accuracy (with Arsenal averaging 46.9% of shots on target), and his delivery from wide areas make him a likely difference-maker against Forest’s leaky defence.
Q: Who is the favourite to win the Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal match?
A: Arsenal are clear favourites, sitting at the top of the table with an excellent defensive record, while Nottingham Forest are struggling near the bottom and have conceded heavily this season.
Q: What are the best betting odds for this match?
A: The best value selections are Arsenal to win to nil and Bukayo Saka to register an assist at any time.
Q: Where can I watch the Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal match?
A: The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
Arsenal travel to Nottingham as strong favourites, with their league-leading defence and diverse attack likely to be too much for a Forest side that has struggled for both goals and clean sheets. The Gunners’ form, tactical structure, and squad depth all point towards a controlled away win, and the stats strongly support a bet on Arsenal to win to nil. Bukayo Saka’s creative threat is another angle for punters looking for value in the props market. Forest’s best hope is to frustrate Arsenal and strike on the break, but the visitors’ superiority in every major metric makes an upset unlikely.
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