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Preview: Postecoglou’s first game at Forest comes at Arsenal

Preview: Postecoglou’s first game at Forest comes at Arsenal

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Ange Postecoglou takes charge of his first match as Nottingham Forest manager at the home stadium of an old rival.

By Graham Ruthven

Big Ange is back

Only a few months after he left, Ange Postecoglou is back in the Premier League. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss and Europa League winner has taken over at Nottingham Forest and faces a trip back to North London in his first match in charge.

Arsenal have had two weeks to simmer on their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break, meaning Mikel Arteta’s team must get back to winning ways as soon as possible this weekend.

There is uncertainty over the kind of Forest team the Gunners will face. Will Postecoglou use the approach of his predecessor, Nuno Espírito Santo, at the Emirates Stadium or will the Australian want his side to play his brand of front foot football?

Arteta might be thankful that Arsenal will face a Postecoglou team and not a Nuno one. Forest took points off Arsenal at the City Ground last season with Nuno’s deep backline difficult to break down.

Depending on how Postecoglou sets up his side, Arsenal might have open space to attack which could suit their forwards. A home win would help the Gunners build momentum for their title challenge again.

Key players

These are the sort of matches Viktor Gyökeres was signed to make a difference in. The Swedish striker scored his first two Premier League goals in his last home outing against Leeds United and will surely have chances to add to his tally against Forest.

Noni Madueke is expected to start on the right wing with Bukayo Saka still injured while Eberechi Eze could be in line to feature on the left side over the out-of-form Gabriel Martinelli.

Declan Rice remains one of the best midfield pace-setters in the Premier League while Jurrien Timber has started the season in good form at right back. The Dutchman will be crucial to giving Arsenal security on both sides of the ball.

Postecoglou might have his own ideas on how Forest should play, but it will surely take some time for those to come to the fore. Until then, many of Nuno’s best players will pose a threat in North London this weekend.

Chris Wood remains Forest’s most effective focal point with Dan Ndoye and Callum Hudson-Odoi dangerous in quick transition moments. This is where Forest could pose a genuine threat.

Elliot Anderson returns from a breakout international spell with England and will be a box-to-box presence for the visitors to the Emirates Stadium this weekend. Meanwhile, Murillo and Nikola Milenković will be charged with keeping things tight at the back.

Team news

Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Saka are all sidelined for Arsenal, but Arteta still has a number of attacking options to choose from after the addition of Gyökores, Eze and Madueke in the summer window.

William Saliba will also miss out for Arsenal after the French defender hobbled off in the loss to Liverpool before the international break. Cristhian Mosquera is in line to start in Saliba’s place.

Ola Aina is a doubt for Nottingham Forest with Oleksandar Zinchenko unavailable to face his parent club. Otherwise, Postecoglou has a fully fit and available squad to choose from.

Prediction

Mikel Arteta needs to hit the ground running following the international break, and the chance to face Forest before Ange Potecoglou can really settle in and get his ideas across should play in to the hands of the Gunners: Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025/26 Premier League season with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Postecoglou’s first game at Forest comes at Arsenal

Ange Postecoglou takes charge of his first match as Nottingham Forest manager at the home stadium of an old rival.

By Graham Ruthven

Big Ange is back

Only a few months after he left, Ange Postecoglou is back in the Premier League. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss and Europa League winner has taken over at Nottingham Forest and faces a trip back to North London in his first match in charge.

Arsenal have had two weeks to simmer on their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break, meaning Mikel Arteta’s team must get back to winning ways as soon as possible this weekend.

There is uncertainty over the kind of Forest team the Gunners will face. Will Postecoglou use the approach of his predecessor, Nuno Espírito Santo, at the Emirates Stadium or will the Australian want his side to play his brand of front foot football?

Arteta might be thankful that Arsenal will face a Postecoglou team and not a Nuno one. Forest took points off Arsenal at the City Ground last season with Nuno’s deep backline difficult to break down.

Depending on how Postecoglou sets up his side, Arsenal might have open space to attack which could suit their forwards. A home win would help the Gunners build momentum for their title challenge again.

Key players

These are the sort of matches Viktor Gyökeres was signed to make a difference in. The Swedish striker scored his first two Premier League goals in his last home outing against Leeds United and will surely have chances to add to his tally against Forest.

Noni Madueke is expected to start on the right wing with Bukayo Saka still injured while Eberechi Eze could be in line to feature on the left side over the out-of-form Gabriel Martinelli.

Declan Rice remains one of the best midfield pace-setters in the Premier League while Jurrien Timber has started the season in good form at right back. The Dutchman will be crucial to giving Arsenal security on both sides of the ball.

Postecoglou might have his own ideas on how Forest should play, but it will surely take some time for those to come to the fore. Until then, many of Nuno’s best players will pose a threat in North London this weekend.

Chris Wood remains Forest’s most effective focal point with Dan Ndoye and Callum Hudson-Odoi dangerous in quick transition moments. This is where Forest could pose a genuine threat.

Elliot Anderson returns from a breakout international spell with England and will be a box-to-box presence for the visitors to the Emirates Stadium this weekend. Meanwhile, Murillo and Nikola Milenković will be charged with keeping things tight at the back.

Team news

Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Saka are all sidelined for Arsenal, but Arteta still has a number of attacking options to choose from after the addition of Gyökores, Eze and Madueke in the summer window.

William Saliba will also miss out for Arsenal after the French defender hobbled off in the loss to Liverpool before the international break. Cristhian Mosquera is in line to start in Saliba’s place.

Ola Aina is a doubt for Nottingham Forest with Oleksandar Zinchenko unavailable to face his parent club. Otherwise, Postecoglou has a fully fit and available squad to choose from.

Prediction

Mikel Arteta needs to hit the ground running following the international break, and the chance to face Forest before Ange Potecoglou can really settle in and get his ideas across should play in to the hands of the Gunners: Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025/26 Premier League season with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.