Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest LIVE!
Arsenal return to Premier League action this afternoon following the final international break of 2024 with a potentially tough home clash against Nottingham Forest. There is surely preciously little margin for error left for the Gunners in the title race after a difficult, injury-plagued start to the new season that has seen them win none of their last four top-flight games to fall to fourth and nine points off early leaders Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s side are among a gaggle of teams currently sitting on 19 points, with today’s opponents heading into the weekend only one spot behind Arsenal by virtue of a slightly inferior goal difference. It’s been an excellent campaign for Forest so far despite their loss to Newcastle before the break, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side still unbeaten away from home and stunning the likes of Liverpool at Anfield.
Arsenal have the likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard fit this afternoon as they name Declan Rice and Kai Havertz on the bench, though Ben White is facing months on the sidelines following knee surgery. The visitors have Chris Wood as a substitute and no Morgan Gibbs-White at all. Follow Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest live below!
GOAL! Nwaneri nets first Premier League goal
GOAL! Partey blasts home brilliant second
GOAL! Saka fires Arsenal into deserved lead
GOAA… NO! Early Timber effort ruled out
16:47 , George Flood
86 mins: Game, set and match!
16:46 , George Flood
82 mins: A standing ovation for Odegaard as he heads off to be replaced by teenager Ethan Nwaneri.
What a performance today from the fit-again Gunners skipper on his first Emirates appearance since August.
Raheem Sterling is also on for Saka.
16:44 , George Flood
79 mins: Odegaard and Saka lead the Arsenal charge once more in search of the third goal that would certainly put this game to bed.
The ball is again cut back for Partey, who tries another long-range effort but this time the ball rockets into the stands.
A heavy challenge on Partey there as he struck it, I think from Jota Silva.
16:41 , George Flood
77 mins: The previously excellent Saka has been quiet since the second Arsenal goal but comes alive now, threatening once more as he earns a corner that Yates heads up at the front post and behind for another.
Forest clear the second too but here come the Gunners again through Saka…
16:39 , George Flood
75 mins: Yates rises highest inside the Arsenal box to head an accurate Sosa cross from the right flank onto the roof of the net with Raya at full stretch.
Forest are turning the screw a bit here as we head into the final 15 minutes, but they still haven’t registered an effort on target.
16:36 , George Flood
71 mins: Replays show that was a nifty and well-hit volley from Jota Silva that inadvertently clattered into the face of team-mate Wood.
That would have asked serious questions of Raya if it weren’t for the accidental intervention of Forest’s top scorer.
Neco Williams on for Forest now. He replaces Moreno.
16:33 , George Flood
71 mins: Raya comes racing out of his penalty area to sweep up for Arsenal, with a powerful strike then hitting the back of Wood.
A good spell this for Forest as they look for the goal that would set up a grandstand finish.
The Gunners fans are urging their side to rediscover their intensity.
16:32 , George Flood
69 mins: Yates with a late challenge on Merino that earns him a yellow card and leaves Arteta furious.
16:31 , George Flood
68 mins: Arsenal send some dangerous high crosses into the box and there are a couple of nudges on Partey and Saka, but nothing to prompt referee Simon Hooper to point to the spot.
Moreno just gently eased Saka away from the ball at the back post, much to the annoyance of the home fans. Nothing wrong with that.
16:29 , George Flood
66 mins: Arsenal are exploiting the space in behind Forest now and are queuing up to have a pop at goal, but nothing to trouble Sels there.
Zinchenko coming on for the hosts. Off goes Calafiori, who has performed admirably today on his return from injury.
16:26 , George Flood
64 mins: It will go under the radar, but such a sign of Arsenal’s depth at the back that they have not missed Ben White today.
Calafiori and Timber have been superb as the full-backs.
16:26 , George Flood
62 mins: A quick impact from Sosa as he delivers a deep, pinpoint cross from the right that is headed well wide of the back post by towering centre-back Milenkovic.
16:25
60 mins: Nuno sends on Wood and Sosa on the hour mark.
Off go Awoniyi and Dominguez.
16:24 , George Flood
58 mins: Further Forest changes are on the way.
Arsenal are allowing them to see a lot of the ball now at 2-0, inviting them to press forward in an attempt to exploit their ambition on the break.
An easy afternoon’s work for the Gunners backline at the moment.
16:20
55 mins: Forest are trying to mount a response to that second Arsenal goal but Raya easily gathers an effort from Moreno.
How long until we see Chris Wood emerge from the away bench?
16:13 , George Flood
52 mins: What a strike!
Saka stands up his man before passing for Partey, who takes one touch with his left before curling a fantastic strike with his right away from the diving Sels and into the bottom corner.
Another terrific Arsenal goal and Arteta’s half-time change pays off quickly – Partey had only been on the pitch for six minutes.
Forest with a mountain to climb now. That should settle any nerves!
16:13 , George Flood
48 mins: Forest seeing much more possession at the start of this second half as Jota Silva avoids a booking for throwing the ball away.
A difficult cross from the right gets caught in the wind but it’s commanding goalkeeping from Raya to pluck it safely out of the air.
16:08 , George Flood
Back underway in north London – can Arsenal finish the job here to crucially get back to winning ways?
Elanga with a collarbone issue that forced his withdrawal there after an early clash with Jorginho that saw him receive belated treatment and earn the latter a booking.
Does Jorginho have a knock too or just hooked for the yellow given that he committed one or two other fouls in that first half?
16:06
The players are back out at the Emirates and we’re getting a change apiece for the second half.
Thomas Partey is replacing Jorginho for Arsenal, while Forest are sending on Jota Silva for Elanga.
15:51 , George Flood
Half-time
So Saka’s fine strike separates the sides at the interval, but Arteta will be hugely disappointed that his dominant side aren’t further ahead here.
Odegaard and Saka in brilliant form so far, but away-day specialists Forest boast an obvious set-piece threat.
This one is far from over at 1-0…
15:51 , George Flood
50 mins: Forest have their first caution of this first half right at the end as Aina is booked for a late challenge on Trossard.
15:50 , George Flood
48 mins: Dominguez is the latest man to bring down Odegaard, who is leading Forest a merry dance time and time again here.
15:47 , George Flood
46 mins: Into five minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
More lovely intricate football from Arsenal in close quarters inside the box – their passing and movement has been superb at times this afternoon.
Odegaard tees up Timber for a snatched effort that soars into the stands.
15:45 , George Flood
45 mins: Saka becomes the third Arsenal player to have his name taken in this first half after a high boot on a stooping Yates.
15:45 , George Flood
43 mins: Odegaard is warned about dallying over this late first-half corner, with Saliba’s flick-on then diverted away from danger by an alert Sels.
15:43 , George Flood
42 mins: Saka is terrorising Forest in this first half and his wicked low strike is parried low by Sels, who did very well to get down to it.
15:42 , George Flood
39 mins: Ironic cheers from the travelling fans after Saka’s latest effort flies well off target.
15:41 , George Flood
39 mins: Saka delays his latest strike that is blocked inside the box following a Timber cut-back.
Trossard then lets fly with a vicious effort that is tipped wide by fellow Belgian Sels.
15:40 , George Flood
37 mins: Forest withstand another corner as Arsenal look to ramp the pressure back up ahead of the interval.
Their intensity has just dropped off over the last 10 minutes or so.
15:38 , George Flood
36 mins: Ward-Prowse picks out another Forest head inside the Arsenal area, but it’s well over from Dominguez.
Set-pieces the only thing to trouble the Gunners so far in this first half.
15:37
35 mins: Jorginho feels hard done by after a foul on Yates gives Ward-Prowse another chance to deliver into the Arsenal box, this time from wide on the left.
Elanga is down and receiving treatment, having appeared to pick up a knock after that earlier foul from Jorginho that earned the Italian a yellow card.
Forest with 10 men for the moment as the former Manchester United winger heads off for more physio attention.
15:35 , George Flood
33 mins: Forest are getting bodies on the edge of their own box to make it really tight and congested in those spaces, wisely denying Arsenal the room they need to keep linking up so dangerously and create further chances.
The visitors are just starting to get their foot on the ball in midfield too.
15:33 , George Flood
31 mins: Jesus is hugely aggrieved to have picked up a yellow card for his late challenge on Dominguez.
“One foul,” he complains to referee Simon Hooper, who is having none of it.
Jesus and Jorginho in the book now for Arsenal.
15:31 , George Flood
29 mins: The link between Saka and Odegaard is so clear. Almost like the pair of them are looking for each other, and no one else, when they get hold of the ball – and you can’t blame them. Devastating when it clicks.
15:27 , George Flood
26 mins: The supremely confident Odegaard is absolutely toying with Forest here with a succession of lovely touches and flicks.
My word how the Gunners have missed his creativity.
He now combines with Jesus and Timber, with the former eventually curling a strike not far wide of the back post.
15:26 , George Flood
24 mins: That Jorginho foul on Elanga allows set-piece specialist Ward-Prowse the chance to whip in a dangerous ball from the right flank that is headed over Raya’s goal by Yates.
Forest are a huge threat from set-pieces, so Arsenal don’t want to be giving away too many free-kicks like that.
15:25 , George Flood
22 mins: Arteta will be desperate for another goal here while his side are so utterly dominant.
Elanga gets forward down the right for Forest before being knocked down by Jorginho.
A few moments earlier, Odegaard saw a strike blocked inside the box after more brilliant link-up play with Saka.
15:22
19 mins: Arsenal remain all over Forest, who have no out ball at all at the moment.
It’s slick and incisive build-up play from the hosts, with Odegaard looking really bright on his first Emirates Stadium appearance since August.
He’s linking up with Saka so nicely, while Jesus and Merino also combine in the box before the former is flagged for offside.
15:19
16 mins: Outrageous finish from Saka, but what about that footwork from Odegaard before? So good in a tight space, which is what Arsenal have missed.
15:15 , George Flood
15 mins: No doubt about that one! A scorching strike from Saka!
The England man gets a gorgeous assist inside the box from the fleet-footed Odegaard before drifting across and rifling an unstoppable effort past the helpless Sels.
Brilliant goal.
15:15 , George Flood
12 mins: Forest are showing a willingness to get men forward when they can, which means Arsenal can get some joy countering them.
It’s the only time Saka isn’t being doubled up on.
15:14 , George Flood
11 mins: Arsenal are dominating possession here, but remaining nice and patient with their build-up play as Saka looks to unlock the door.
The home fans scream for a foul after Jorginho is prevented from connecting with a cut-back to the edge of the box.
Nothing given by referee Simon Hooper.
15:13 , George Flood
Jurrien Timber denied what would have been his first Premier League goal for Arsenal…
15:11 , George Flood
8 mins: An age of a VAR check, which led to plenty of boos from fans.
Arsenal’s players had to work to keep warm, too, with Jorginho and Odegaard doing a few sprints.
15:08 , George Flood
7 mins: It’s a long wait with the lines being drawn, but the decision to rule the goal out for a fractional offside against Merino stands.
Eagle-eyed from the assistant referee. Still goalless.
15:07 , George Flood
5 mins: Gooa… NO!
Odegaard’s free-kick from the right is nodded down by Merino and cleared off the line by Dominguez.
Timber gets there first to turn in the rebound from close range, but his joy is short-lived as the offside flag goes up again against Merino.
This will be looked at by VAR. It’s very, very tight…
15:05 , George Flood
3 mins: A lively start at the Emirates as Aina – fit for Forest today despite rumours of an injury sustained with Nigeria – bursts down the right and almost picks out Hudson-Odoi in the middle.
A warning for Arsenal.
15:04 , George Flood
2 mins: A fast start from Arsenal as they force an early corner.
Forest initially clear their lines but the Gunners maintain their pressure with Saka trying his luck before Sels makes a smart save from Trossard.
The offside flag goes up.
15:01 , George Flood
Underway in north London!
Arsenal surely can’t afford any more slip-ups in the title race…
14:59 , George Flood
Massive cheer around the stadium as Martin Odegaard’s name is read out.
Arsenal have missed him so much, especially in attack. He’ll want to hit the ground running today.
14:59 , George Flood
The teams are out at the Emirates!
It’s very gloomy indeed in north London ahead of kick-off, with the floodlights definitely needed from the outset.
The rain is coming down.
14:51 , George Flood
Final preparations at the Emirates!
Kick-off is just 10 minutes away…
14:45 , George Flood
Can Gabriel Jesus finally end his long Arsenal goal drought this afternoon?
The Brazilian has yet to score at all this season in the Premier League, with his lone strike in 15 appearances across all competitions so far coming in the Carabao Cup last-16 win over Championship side Preston last month.
Jesus has not netted for the Gunners in the top-flight since all the way back on January 30, when he scored the first goal in a 2-1 win for Arsenal over Forest at the City Ground.
Will Forest prove his good luck charm again?
14:34 , George Flood
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has addressed Morgan Gibbs-White’s surprise absence from his squad this afternoon.
“He’s not in the right moment,” he said.
“We’ve been taking care of him since the knock in the Chelsea game, he has been trying hard, but he’s not in the position to do it today.”
14:25 , George Flood
More pre-match thoughts from the Emirates, where Arsenal simply cannot afford any more slip-ups if they hope to get back into the title race….
14:18 , George Flood
Some big calls from Arteta with that team, most notably around Kai Havertz.
Be interesting to hear what Arteta has to say for the reasons behind that.
14:08
The headline team news from a Nottingham Forest perspective this afternoon is that Chris Wood – the Premier League’s joint-second top scorer so far this season with eight goals – is only a substitute.
Taiwo Awoniyi leads the attack instead, with Nuno’s only other change coming in midfield where England’s Morgan Gibbs-White is absent completely and replaced by West Ham loanee James Ward-Prowse.
Elliot Anderson misses out with a foot issue, with Harry Toffolo and Eric da Silva Moreira coming onto the bench.
14:00
So Bukayo Saka is fit to start for Arsenal this afternoon, but Declan Rice is only a substitute as Jorginho and Mikel Merino come into midfield with Martin Odegaard.
Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard are in from the off after recovering from their respective injuries, though Kai Havertz is on the bench as Gabriel Jesus starts up front instead.
It looks like Jurrien Timber is switching to right-back to cover Ben White’s absence, with Calafiori on the left of defence.
Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey also drop to the bench after five changes in total from Mikel Arteta, who has Raheem Sterling back among the substitutes.
13:50 , George Flood
Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno, Yates, Ward-Prowse, Dominguez, Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, Awoniyi
Subs: Miguel, Morato, Williams, Toffolo, Moreira, Boly, Wood, Silva, Sosa
13:47 , George Flood
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Jorginho, Merino; Saka, Jesus, Trossard
Subs: Neto, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Partey, Rice, Nwaneri, Sterling, Martinelli, Havertz
13:45 , George Flood
Mikel Arteta admitted that the long-term absence of Ben White posed problems for Arsenal, but he did not want to dwell on the negatives with so many other key players now back fit.
“It is a challenge,” he said. “It was something that we didn’t expect at all because, when we talk about consistency and availability in the defensive line, Ben was probably the best with Gabi [Gabriel] and Wilo [William Saliba].
“So we’ll miss him but that’s it. We’re going to have to find alternatives, that’s it.
“But there are a lot of positives as well, because Declan is back, Bukayo is back.
“Jurrien is in a good place because he could not play the last game.
“Leo [Trossard] came back in a good place, Riccy’s [Riccardo Calafiori] back after missing five or six weeks. That’s a lot of players and that’s great news.”
13:38
Yesterday Mikel Arteta brought the news that Arsenal regular Ben White was now looking at “months” on the sidelines after underdoing a knee procedure.
Pushed for the latest on the versatile defender’s recovery, Arteta said: “Ben is going to be out for months.
“It’s been different kind of struggles, it’s never been the same thing, but we had to make a decision in the last few weeks, unfortunately.
“We know that Ben is going to push every boundary but it got to a point where we had to protect the player and we decided to do the surgery.
“He agreed with that, and obviously it will keep him out for a few months.
“We have to see how he reacts post-surgery, I don’t expect him to be out for half a season or year but I cannot tell you exactly [how long].”
13:27 , George Flood
Arsenal’s players have arrived at the Emirates, with Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard all present this afternoon.
Let’s see which of them are deemed ready to start by Mikel Arteta.
13:22 , George Flood
Storm Bert has hit London this weekend, bringing with it some torrential rain, huge winds and power cuts.
Hopefully not too bad in N5, where it was very gloomy indeed a little earlier on…
13:14 , George Flood
Mikel Arteta certainly seems to have the appetite for at least 250 more games in charge of Arsenal, telling reporters yesterday: “It is about energy and what I love doing, for sure.”
The Gunners boss also had a passionate response when asked what he felt was his biggest achievement in his five years at the Emirates so far…
He said: “Bringing the club together, 100 per cent.
“Lifting the spirit and giving a very clear DNA to the football club and setting it right again to be representing this club and this football shirt, from the players to everybody who works at the club in the way that is expected at this level.”
13:07 , George Flood
Today is a special occasion for Mikel Arteta as it marks his 250th game in charge of Arsenal across all competitions since being appointed back in December 2019 as the long-term successor to fellow Spaniard Unai Emery.
“I’m extremely grateful, very happy, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it because of the people that I work with every single day and because I understand how lucky I am to be sitting where I am, and you always want more,” Arteta said yesterday of reaching the milestone.
“I feel a huge pride to see the people that work in our organisation and how they feel about the club right now, and what we transmit as a football club and as a team.
“But it is about winning and the end, I want more, I want big trophies and we are on that journey.”
12:59 , George Flood
Arsenal have not lost at home so far this season, while Forest have impressed hugely on the road – stunning the likes of Liverpool at Anfield.
With that in mind, it would not be a surprise to see the spoils shared this weekend.
Draw, 1-1.
12:52 , George Flood
Nuno Espirito Santo admitted earlier this week that Nottingham Forest have some “situations to manage” on the team news front ahead of the trip to the Emirates.
Long-term absentees Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are definitely out, while Elliot Anderson was set to be assessed and Ramon Sosa only arrived back from international duty with Paraguay on Thursday.
Full-back Ola Aina is expected to be involved despite suggestions that he may have picked up an injury while playing for Nigeria.
12:46 , George Flood
Arsenal will hope that Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are both able to feature this afternoon after each pulling out of England duty with knocks sustained in the draw with Chelsea before the international break.
Both took partial part in training at London Colney on Friday but it remains to be seen if they will be fit to start today.
Riccardo Calafiori is also back, while Leandro Trossard is expected to play after an injury sustained with Belgium in the Nations League.
However, Mikel Arteta confirmed yesterday that Ben White was now unfortunately facing “months” on the sidelines after a knee operation, while fellow defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are also still out.
Raheem Sterling is also available for selection again after being ineligible to face parent club Chelsea a fortnight ago.
12:40 , George Flood
TV channel and live stream: Today’s game will not be broadcast live in the UK as it takes place during the 3pm blackout still imposed across English football on Saturdays.
Free highlights: Match of the Day will broadcast highlights when it airs at 10:30pm GMT on BBC One tonight.
12:37 , George Flood
Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest.
It could be another tough test for the Gunners today following the international break as they take on away-day specialists and a surprise package under Nuno Espirito Santo who currently sit just one place behind them in the Premier League table due to a slightly inferior goal difference.
Kick-off this afternoon is at 3pm GMT, so stay tuned for all the latest build-up, team news and live updates with Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium.
