Arsenal host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, and Paul Merson has made his prediction ahead of the clash.
The Gunners head into the encounter needing a result after suffering defeat at the hands of Liverpool in their final match before the international break.
Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 in the early-season title showdown at Anfield, courtesy of a screamer from Dominik Szoboszlai.
Mikel Arteta’s team will entertain Forest at the Emirates in their next match, days after the East Midlanders made a managerial change.
Paul Merson makes Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest prediction
Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka for the visit of Forest, with the Englishman still recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained last month.
Kai Havertz, William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus will also be out for the clash with various fitness issues.
However, Ben White and Christian Norgaard could be available after returning to training on Thursday morning.
Paul Merson is confident that, despite some of their injury issues, the Gunners will ease past Forest, who appointed Ange Postecoglou as their new manager earlier this week.
“This is a difficult game for Arsenal because everyone is expecting them to get back to winning ways against Nottingham Forest,” the pundit wrote for Sportskeeda.
“And apparently, they have to do it in style too! I agree that maybe Eberechi Eze should have played from the start against Liverpool. But it’s ridiculous that after Dominik Szoboszlai scored, everyone started questioning Arsenal for not pushing enough and being negative.
“After the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo, it will take Forest some time to get used to Ange Postecoglou. It’s like chalk and cheese. Nuno made them tight at the back and relied on the counter-attack, but we know how Postecoglou is someone who goes gung-ho with his approach.
“Don’t get me wrong, I like watching Postecoglou’s teams because his playing style is entertaining. But I’m not sure I would like it if it was being played by my team!
“Arsenal need to win because they have some tricky fixtures coming up. I expect the Gunners to get the job done at the Emirates.”
Score Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest
What Paul Merson said about Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke will likely start for Arsenal against Forest, after impressing on the right wing against Liverpool and for England over the international break.
The electric wide man will hope to build on these performances with another strong showing this weekend.
Merson has revealed that he’s been impressed by Madueke, although he also stated that the 23-year-old needs to show this form on a consistent basis.
“Noni Madueke has impressed me in recent weeks,” he wrote.
“I thought he looked good against Liverpool and he has sort of carried that form into the England team as well. With Bukayo Saka still out injured, Madueke will have a big role to play for Arsenal this weekend.
“It’s definitely a good start to his career in north London, but we need to see more of the same on a consistent basis to call him a success.”
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