Match Coverage

Peter Crouch has now predicted the score when Arsenal play Nottingham Forest on Saturday

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Arsenal return to Premier League action following the first international break of the season with a home fixture against Nottingham Forest.

Mikel Arteta’s side will be eager to get back to winning ways following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Premier League champions Liverpool in their last outing.

Piero Hincapie could make his debut following his deadline day move from Bayer Leverkusen and Nottingham Forest will be buoyed by the recent appointment of Ange Postecoglou.

The former Spurs manager is sure to add some spice to the fixture and former striker Peter Crouch has just given his prediction for the clash at the Emirates Stadium.

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Peter Crouch predicts narrow victory for Arsenal v Nottingham Forest

Speaking on the latest episode of ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast’ the former England striker has predicted a narrow 2-1 victory for Arsenal in the upcoming clash with Forest.

Crouch stated: “Well, I’m happy to go. I want to go for 2-1, Arsenal. Arsenal to nick it in the last few minutes.”

The Gunners will be wary of the threat that Forest pose, especially after the appointment of Postecoglou could give his side that ‘new manager bounce’ that often occurs.

However, Arteta’s side were 3-0 winners in the fixture last season with Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri among the scorers.

Saka is absent with a hamstring injury this time around, however, Arsenal now possess incredible strength in depth with Noni Madueke set to deputise after his heroics for England.

Mikel Arteta should start with Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze in the team v Nottingham Forest

Although Postecoglou is known for his attacking style, it is likely he will set up his Forest team in a more defensive structure having had just a few days to work with them on the training ground.

Arsenal will need to be inventive to break them down and have struggled against this type of opponent in recent seasons at the Emirates.

Eberechi Eze looks on during Liverpool v Arsenal
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Kevin Nolan was impressed with Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze during their substitute appearances against Liverpool and Arteta needs to go with the duo from the start against Forest.

Odegaard will operate in his usual number ten role but Eze can roam from the left flank and look to find little pockets of space in order to feed Viktor Gyokeres.

The Gunners have become far too predictable with their attacking play and having two playmakers on the field at the same time will help overcome those issues.