Nottingham Forest prepare for a daunting Premier League visit from Arsenal on Sunday with a defensive crisis and poor recent form. Oliver Glasner’s side have lost their last two matches and sit 15th in the league table with five points from six games.
A makeshift back three of Ousmane Diomande, Murillo and Jair Cunha is expected due to absences, with Daniel Munoz and Neco Williams operating as wing-backs. Igor Jesus is out with a calf injury, joining a significant injury list. Liam Delap is set to lead the attack, supported by Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye, who is Forest's top scorer this season with two goals.
Forest's form has been a concern, with a 3-1 loss at Crystal Palace followed by a 1-0 home defeat to Coventry City. Their only league win this term came at Aston Villa in September. They have scored five goals and conceded eight, leaving them with a minus-three goal difference and 13 points behind leaders Manchester City. The team's recent struggles have amplified the pressure to secure a positive result in their upcoming fixtures.
Arsenal arrive at the City Ground in second place with 15 points from six matches. They have won three and drawn two of the last five meetings between these sides, scoring eight goals and conceding just one since January 2024. The Gunners are strong defensively but have scored just once from open play in their last six league games.
Historical edge and venue context
The last two Premier League meetings at the City Ground ended goalless, including the most recent clash on 17 January 2026. Forest have not beaten Arsenal at home in the league since May 2023. Glasner is aware of the challenge. "A first home league win of the season would ease some of that pressure before it builds further," the manager said.
John Victor will start in goal ahead of Matz Sels. The match kicks off at the City Ground on Sunday, 18 October, at 16:30 BST.
