The State of Play
Nottingham Forest have been much-improved since the appointment of former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss, Nuno Espirito Santo. However, they will be a little concerned about a potential points deduction and even more frustrated by being taken to an FA Cup replay by League One Blackpool and then by Championship Bristol City this month. They have suffered just one defeat in their last six matches across all competitions.
Arsenal thrashed Crystal Palace by five goals to nil at the Emirates Stadium a week and a half ago before being able to rest up over the last weekend as focus turned to the FA Cup fourth round after they had been knocked out by Liverpool in the third round. The Gunners are fighting to remain tucked inside the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots at the moment.
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Team News
Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed that Taiwo Awoniyi returned to team training this week ahead of schedule but the Nigerian striker, alongside Felipe and Anthony Elanga, are still not 100% for this one. They remain without several players at the Africa Cup of Nations such as Ola Aina, Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, Cheikhou Kouyate, Ibrahim Sangare and Moussa Niakhate.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that defensive midfielder, Thomas Partey, remains unavailable for this week’s trip north to the City Ground. He has also said he has ‘late decisions’ to make ahead of their clash with Nottingham Forest after both Gabriel and Declan Rice were forced off in their 5-0 hammering of Crystal Palace around ten days ago.
Expected Line-ups
Nottingham Forest: Turner; Montiel, Omobamidele, Murillo, Toffolo; Mangala, Danilo; Dominguez, Yates, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Trossard
What they Said
Nuno Espirito Santo said that the goalless draw shared with Bristol City on Friday evening is ‘a big step’ for Forest as keeping clean sheets are a ‘team goal’. That could be an indication of how they try to play against Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s pre-match press conference was dominated by talk that he may be leaving the club for Barcelona in the summer but he has dismissed that: “Who, me? That is totally fake news. What you read, I’m really upset about it. I couldn’t believe it. It has no sources.”
When and How to Watch
This game will take place at the City Ground at 19:30 on Tuesday January 30th. It will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK and can be streamed live via the TNT Sports app.
Prediction
As mentioned, Nottingham Forest appear intent on ensuring they become a lot more defensively resolute, as praised by their manager in the aftermath of their draw with Bristol City. They have conceded 38 goals in 21 games in the Premier League so far this season. They now face an Arsenal side that are seeking to put a more consistent run of form together after their demolition of Crystal Palace. Arteta’s side will be keen on avoiding any sort of chaotic encounters so a lower scoring victory for the visitors would appear likely against a team set to be set up defensively on Tuesday evening.
