Arsenal will be eager to rekindle their Premier League title challenge when the 2024/25 season resumes after the latest international break.
The Gunners head into the home game against Nottingham Forest nine points behind table-topping Liverpool, and they cannot afford to lose any more ground.
Fans of both clubs will likely be clamouring for Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest tickets, given the importance of the fixture on November 23.
With that in mind, read on as we look at the latest state of play at each club before assessing what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta Reflects on Arsenal’s ‘Nightmare’
After taking just two points from their last four league games, Arsenal desperately need to return to winning ways against Forest.
A 1-1 draw at Chelsea in their most recent outing left them fourth in the table, and they looked short of the quality needed to mount a title challenge during the game.
Manager Mikel Arteta was eager to point out that injuries have not helped the team’s cause and believes things will improve over the next few weeks.
“I am just praying that after the international break I have the team fully equipped physically, they are available and they are fit, because it has been an absolute nightmare for eight weeks,” Arteta told the club’s official website.
“Issue after issue, not only the ones that are not able to play, but the ones that are able to play only for certain moments, only for certain days, not able to train.
“So, I’m just asking that because the team, the desire that they have and how much we want it, there’s no question about that. So, it’s going to come, we just need that on our side to be able to be more consistent.”
Nuno Says Forest Will Learn from Newcastle Defeat
Forest fell to only their second defeat of the season last weekend as Newcastle United ran out 3-1 winners at the City Ground.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side took the lead in the first half, but a three-goal blitz after the break ensured the Magpies walked away with the points.
Despite the result, Nuno was eager to take the positives from the game and insisted his players will learn from the defeat.
“I cannot say it’s a bad performance, honestly,” Nuno told the Nottingham Post. “We have to give credit to Newcastle because they are a good team, and they were able to control us.
“They were able to take advantage of some decisions we made when we were rushing our decisions, and they punished us on the counter-attack. They have pace and they have quality, and they were lethal with the chances they had.”
“I always believe every game gives you a chance to improve and a lesson to take. I think our improvement should be on the momentum of our decisions. We rushed our decisions and were not able to keep the ball enough time to make Newcastle players drop.
“When you attack and you defend and the team is organised, you know they are going to come. It is something we have to address.”
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest – Last 20 Meetings
- Oct 17, 1992 – Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – 0-1 – Premier League
- Jan 12, 1993 – Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – 2-0 – League Cup
- Feb 13, 1993 – Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – 2-0 – FA Cup
- Apr 21, 1993 – Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – 1-1 – Premier League
- Dec 3, 1994 – Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – 2-2 – Premier League
- Feb 21, 1995 – Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – 1-0 – Premier League
- Aug 29, 1995 – Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – 1-1 – Premier League
- Feb 10, 1996 – Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – 0-1 – Premier League
- Dec 21, 1996 – Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – 2-1 – Premier League
- Mar 8, 1997 – Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – 2-0 – Premier League
- Aug 17, 1998 – Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – 2-1 – Premier League
- Jan 16, 1999 – Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – 0-1 – Premier League
- Sep 20, 2016 – Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – 0-4 – League Cup
- Jan 7, 2018 – Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – 4-2 – FA Cup
- Sep 24, 2019 – Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – 5-0 – League Cup
- Jan 9, 2022 – Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – 1-0 – FA Cup
- Oct 30, 2022 – Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – 5-0 – Premier League
- May 20, 2023 – Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – 1-0 – Premier League
- Aug 12, 2023 – Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – 2-1 – Premier League
- Jan 30, 2024 – Nottingham Forest v Arsenal – 1-2 – Premier League
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest – Preview
Arsenal were touted as the team most likely to topple reigning champions Manchester City this season, but things have not gone to plan.
Recent defeats at Bournemouth and Newcastle United highlighted their fragility, while the draw at Chelsea did little to suggest they will challenge for the title.
While Arteta’s comments about injuries undoubtedly have some merit, they all also highlight that the Gunners’ squad lacks depth.
The club’s failure to sign a prolific goalscorer is a major problem, while several key players are not living up to their lofty reputation.
They include midfielder Declan Rice, who has done little to justify the £105 million Arsenal paid to West Ham United to secure his services.
His penchant for going missing in big games was pointed out before he joined the club and remains prevalent with the Gunners.
Rice still has time to prove he is the real deal, but Arsenal need him to step up sooner rather than later if their title dream is to come to fruition.
The game against Forest gives Rice and his teammates the opportunity to show they can force their back into contention this season.
The Midlands outfit are much-improved this season, but these are the type of games that title contenders win when they produce their best form.
Arsenal defeated Forest twice last season and they are fancied to add another victory to their tally at the Emirates, albeit in a closely fought encounter.
