Arsenal v Nottingham Forest predictions: Visitors can frustrate fatigued Gunners

Tricky Trees better prepared for Emirates test

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal haven't been as sharp in front of goal recentlyCredit: DeFodi Images

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Arsenal v Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

When to bet

2pm Sunday

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals
1pt 13-8 bet365

Team news

Arsenal
Gabriel Magalhaes limped off at the conclusion of Thursday’s loss at PSV Eindhoven and needs to prove his fitness. Marquinhos is battling an illness while Emile Smith Rowe, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mohamed Elneny remain sidelined.

Nottingham Forest
Lewis O'Brien is expected to be passed fit after recovering from illness. The game comes too soon for Omar Richards, Jack Colback, Moussa Niakhate and Harry Toffolo.

Preview

After a storming start to the season, Arsenal are beginning to flag and the Gunners may lack the firepower to blow away a well-organised Nottingham Forest side.

Mikel Arteta’s men were well beaten by PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League in midweek and the relentless Thursday-Sunday schedule looks to be taking its toll on the Spaniard's small squad.

The goals have dried up for Arsenal, who haven’t scored more than once in a game in their last five outings, while top scorer Gabriel Jesus is on a six-match goalless run.

Regardless of the recent dip in form, bookmakers remain confident Arsenal can make it eight wins in a row against promoted sides despite an upturn in Forest’s fortunes.

The Tricky Trees defeated Liverpool last weekend and have looked far more solid since boss Steve Cooper switched up his tactics following a 4-0 loss at Leicester.

Cooper, who masterminded a 1-0 win over Arsenal in the FA Cup in January, must now figure out how to improve Forest’s attacking returns after two goals in the last five league games. They'll get little change from an Arsenal backline allowing the second-fewest shots per match.