Arsenal take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates, and some bold predictions have been made ahead of the clash.
The Gunners need to bounce back from the disappointing defeat they suffered at the hands of Liverpool prior to the international break.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s 83rd-minute free-kick condemned Arsenal to their first loss of the season, and Mikel Arteta has subsequently faced criticism for his approach to the clash.
The Spaniard’s side face a team in turmoil on Saturday, rocked by a surprising managerial change, with Forest sacking Nuno Espirito Santo and replacing him with Ange Postecoglou earlier this week.
Alan Shearer makes Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest prediction
Arsenal have a number of injury issues to contend with heading into the encounter against the East Midlanders.
Bukayo Saka is out with a hamstring problem, while star centre-back William Saliba is also expected to miss the clash with an ankle injury sustained against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain long-term absentees, and Ben White and Christian Norgaard face late fitness tests to determine their availability.
However, Arteta still has plenty of options available to him and a squad that should be capable of beating Forest on the day.
Alan Shearer has backed the Gunners to do so, predicting a comfortable home victory.
“What a first game for Ange Postecoglou. Incredibly tough. It’s a tough one to call, but I think Arsenal will just have enough to take the points,” Shearer wrote for the Metro.
Result Prediction: Arsenal Win
Chris Sutton has predicted the result of Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
There’s been a lot of discourse around how Postecoglou will approach this game.
Many are convinced that the Australian will immediately implement his attacking principles and instruct his players to play on the half-way line at the Emirates.
However, others believe Postecoglou will play a more pragmatic style in his first game in charge, against one of the best teams in the league.
Chris Sutton thinks the divisive manager will set his team up in the latter way, but believes Arsenal will still win in a routine manner.
“I am not expecting an extreme change from Nottingham Forest in Ange Postecoglou’s first game in charge,” Sutton wrote for BBC Sport.
“Sure, he will tweak things, and he has got his principles where he likes to play attacking football, but I can’t imagine him going in with a high defensive line in his first game, especially against Arsenal.
“A return to North London is pretty much as tough a start as he could get, even though Arsenal have a few injuries with Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Kai Havertz ruled out.
“There is so much talent in the Arsenal squad now that they are still so dangerous – Noni Madueke was excellent for England against Serbia, and he will be full of confidence after that display.
“This might be another game where Arsenal have to grind a result out, but they will find a way of winning it.”
Score Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest
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