Arsenal aim to bounce back from their Liverpool loss as they host a Nottingham Forest side beginning life under Ange Postecoglou - Harry Paterson provides his bet builder tips.
12:30 Saturday
Arsenal return from the international break looking to shake off the frustration of their narrow defeat at Liverpool and reignite their title push.
That late loss at Anfield was their first slip of the new campaign, but it has left them chasing early leaders and keen to avoid the home stutters that proved costly last season, when they managed only 11 wins from 19 league games at the Emirates Stadium.
They now face a Forest side stepping into a new chapter under Ange Postecoglou, who has made a swift return to the Premier League and will immediately renew hostilities with his former north London rivals.
The Australian inherits a team short on confidence after a rocky start and a bruising 3-0 home defeat to West Ham United.
Forest’s defensive discipline has deserted them, conceding in 11 straight league matches and failing to keep a clean sheet away from home since January.
History also weighs heavily on them, they’ve lost their last six visits to Arsenal, shipping 19 goals, and haven’t left north London with a win since 1989.
With Mikel Arteta’s side eager to reassert their control and Forest likely to be adjusting to Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy, the stage is set for an intriguing clash that could briefly take Arsenal back to the top of the table.
Midnite
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Bet Builder Tips
- Declan Rice 1+ Foul
- Noni Madueke 1+ Shot on Target
- Nikola Milenković 1+ Foul
At the time of publishing this bet builder tip can be backed at a best price of 16/5 with bet365.
Noni Madueke 1+ Shot on Target
If it wasn’t already clear from the introduction, I’m backing Arsenal to take control of this game. Nottingham Forest are in a turbulent spell both on and off the pitch, with Nuno Espirito Santo departing and Ange Postecoglou just settling in, and that upheaval is likely to leave them looking disjointed.
Their defence has already dipped well below last season’s standards, and Arsenal’s attackers are well placed to exploit that. It’s also a great stage for new signing Noni Madueke to make his mark. He looked sharp before the break against Liverpool, constantly driving at Kerkez and firing off three shots, including one on target.
Madueke then carried that momentum into the international break, standing out for England and netting his first goal for his country. With confidence high, this feels like the perfect chance for him to build on that form, and I fancy him to test the keeper at least once here.
Declan Rice 1+ Foul
Declan Rice looks good value for a foul here.
The Arsenal midfielder has committed a foul in each of his three appearances this season and faces a tough matchup patrolling the right side of midfield.
Ndoye, despite drawing just two fouls in limited minutes this season, drew a massive 5.6 fouls per game for Bologna last year and can prove to be a tricky customer.
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Ola Aina has averaged a foul drawn per game this season and though Anderson (drawn four fouls in three games) is likely to spend most of his time on the left side of Forests midfield he might find himself up against Rice on the break.
Nikola Milenković 1+ Foul
Viktor Gyokeres isn’t shy about putting himself about, and his early numbers back that up, he’s drawn 3, 2 and 2 fouls in his first three games for Arsenal.
Dealing with him will be Nikola Milenkovic, who has a combative edge of his own. He finished last season with four yellows and was even sent off during the recent international against England for a reckless challenge on Harry Kane.
Milenkovic gave away two fouls the last time these sides met and added another in his most recent outing versus West Ham United, so there’s every chance he’ll be drawn into a few more here.
