Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Premier League Preview

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal pits a struggling Forest side, who sit fifteenth in the Premier League, against an Arsenal team chasing Manchester City at the top of the table. Kick-off is at the City Ground in round seven, with Arsenal three points behind the leaders and unbeaten away from home this season. Forest, by contrast, have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions and have not won at home in the league since August.

When and where is Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal being played?

Nottingham Forest host Arsenal at 17:30 SAST (15:30 GMT) on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at the City Ground in Nottingham. Michael Oliver is the referee for the round-seven fixture.

How do Nottingham Forest and Arsenal compare in the table?

Nottingham Forest are fifteenth on five points from six games, with one win, two draws and three defeats. Arsenal are second on 15 points, with five wins, no draws and a single defeat, three points behind leaders Manchester City. Because Arsenal have the division’s best defensive record alongside City, having conceded only five goals in six matches, Forest’s home form will need to improve sharply if they are to avoid a sixth defeat of the season. A win for Arsenal would keep the pressure on City at the top, while another loss for Forest would leave them within three points of the relegation zone.

What is Nottingham Forest’s recent form before facing Arsenal?

Forest have won once in their last five matches in all competitions: a 3-1 defeat away at Crystal Palace, a 1-0 home loss to Coventry, a 2-1 win away at Aston Villa, a goalless home draw with Tottenham and a 2-2 draw away at Liverpool. In the league this season Forest have no home wins, with two draws and two defeats from four matches at the City Ground, and they have conceded eight goals in six league games overall. Since Forest have failed to score in three of their six league matches, finding a way past an Arsenal defence that has kept three clean sheets already looks like the bigger challenge of the afternoon.

What is Arsenal’s recent form before facing Nottingham Forest?

Arsenal arrive on the back of a 3-0 Champions League win at home to Lille, a 2-1 league win away at Leeds, a 3-0 defeat away at Brighton, a League Cup win at Ipswich and a 2-0 win away at Sunderland. Mikel Arteta’s side have won all three away league matches so far this season while scoring three and conceding three, and they have scored ten and conceded five in total across their six league games. Because Arsenal have lost only once in the league all season, and that defeat came away from home at Brighton, Forest will need a near-perfect performance to prevent a fourth loss in five.

Who is injured or doubtful for Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal?

Forest have several absences to manage, with striker Igor Jesus out through a calf injury and both Nikola Milenkovic and Nicolo Savona missing with knee problems, leaving the hosts short at both ends of the pitch. Arsenal also have selection issues of their own: Piero Hincapie is out with an ankle injury, captain William Saliba is sidelined with a back problem, Christos Tzolis has a hamstring injury and Martin Zubimendi is a knock doubt. With Saliba missing from Arsenal’s defence, Forest’s forwards will have a rare opening against a side that has otherwise been difficult to break down.

What does the head-to-head record show for Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal?

Arsenal have dominated the recent meetings between the two clubs. The last five results read: a 0-0 draw at the City Ground in January 2026, a 3-0 Arsenal win at the Emirates in September 2025, another goalless draw at the City Ground in February 2025, a 3-0 Arsenal win at home in November 2024 and a 2-1 Arsenal win away at Forest in January 2024. Forest have not beaten Arsenal in any of the last five meetings, managing only two draws, both of them at the City Ground.

According to the official Premier League table, Arsenal head into the weekend second, three points adrift of leaders Manchester City. South African fans can track the rest of round seven on the live scores page, and the Premier League predictions hub has the full weekend schedule. Our preview of Brentford vs Liverpool covers another round-seven match being played the day before.

On Sunday, Leeds host Manchester United earlier in the day.

Brighton beat Arsenal 3-0 on 19 September and Crystal Palace beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 on 11 October, and the two meet on Sunday in our Brighton vs Crystal Palace preview.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal kick off?

Kick-off is at 17:30 SAST (15:30 GMT) on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at the City Ground.

Where is Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal being played?

The match is at the City Ground in Nottingham, with Michael Oliver as referee.

Has Nottingham Forest won a home league match this season?

No, Forest have two draws and two defeats from four Premier League matches at the City Ground so far this season.

How many points behind Manchester City are Arsenal?

Arsenal are three points behind leaders Manchester City, sitting second on 15 points after six games.

Who won the last meeting between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal?

Neither side won; Nottingham Forest and Arsenal drew 0-0 at the City Ground in January 2026, the most recent meeting between the two clubs.

Update: the match is played. Read our Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal match report to see how Arsenal won 1-0.