Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Why This Fixture Kinda Scares Everyone

Honestly, if you've been following the Premier League for more than five minutes, you know that Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal is one of those matches that looks straightforward on a spreadsheet but feels like a fever dream once the whistle blows. It’s a weird one. You have Arsenal, currently sitting pretty at the top of the table as of January 2026, traveling to a City Ground that has basically become a graveyard for "Big Six" ambitions over the last few seasons.

Most people expect the Gunners to just roll over Forest. They see the 3-0 demolition back in September 2025 where Martín Zubimendi and Viktor Gyökeres ran riot at the Emirates and think, "Yeah, easy three points." But they're forgetting the 0-0 stalemate at the City Ground last February. They’re forgetting that under Sean Dyche—who took over after the Ange Postecoglou experiment ended—Forest have become a team that doesn't just "park the bus." They build a fortified bunker and dare you to find the door.

What People Get Wrong About Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

The biggest misconception is that this is a mismatch. It’s not. Not at the City Ground.

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Since Forest returned to the top flight, Arsenal’s record in Nottingham has been, well, shaky. Remember May 2023? That 1-0 loss for the Gunners didn't just hurt; it officially handed the title to Manchester City. Then there’s the FA Cup history—the 1-0 and 4-2 wins for Forest that sent Arsenal packing in recent years. There is something about the noise near the River Trent that makes elite North London tactical systems start to glitch.

Mikel Arteta knows this. He’s been forced to be incredibly creative lately because his backline is currently held together by hope and some very expensive sports tape.

The Injury Crisis Nobody is Talking About

Going into the January 17, 2026 clash, Arsenal is sweating. Riccardo Calafiori is still sidelined with that "awkward" muscle injury he picked up before Christmas. Cristhian Mosquera? Out with an ankle issue. Even Piero Hincapié is a major doubt. When you're missing three primary defenders, you start seeing weird things, like Christian Norgaard having to deputize in the backline against Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

It's a massive headache for Arteta.

Forest, meanwhile, are riding a wave of momentum. They just clawed back a win against West Ham, putting a comfortable seven-point gap between them and the relegation zone. They aren't the desperate, frantic side of two years ago. They’re disciplined. They’re annoying. And they have Chris Wood, who seems to exist solely to bully high-line center-backs.

The Zubimendi Factor and the New-Look Arsenal

Despite the defensive wobbles, this isn't the same Arsenal team that bottled it in 2023. The arrival of Martín Zubimendi has fundamentally changed how they breathe. In that 3-0 win over Forest earlier this season, Zubimendi wasn't just a midfielder; he was a metronome. His volley in the 32nd minute was absolute filth—the kind of strike that makes you realize why Arsenal paid the big bucks.

And let’s talk about Viktor Gyökeres.

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The man is a physical problem. With Gabriel Jesus only just finding his feet after nearly a year out with an ACL injury, Gyökeres has shouldered the scoring burden with a terrifying level of ease. His link-up play with Eberechi Eze—another masterstroke signing—is the reason Arsenal is even in a title conversation right now.

Why the City Ground Changes Everything

But here is the thing: Zubimendi’s "total football" vibes often struggle when the grass is a bit longer and the tackles are a bit heavier. Forest under Dyche doesn't care about your xG. They care about winning the second ball. They care about Morgan Gibbs-White finding a pocket of space on the counter.

Forest is currently looking to bolster their attack in the January window—rumors are swirling about Strand Larsen or maybe a loan for Youssef En-Nesyri—but even without a new face, they are a nightmare to break down. They've only conceded a handful of goals at home this winter.

Key Match Details for January 17, 2026

If you’re planning your weekend around this, here is the vital info:

• Kick-off: 17:30 UTC (5:30 PM local time).
• Location: The City Ground, Nottingham.
• Last Meeting: Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest (Sept 13, 2025).
• Referee: TBD (though Simon Hooper has been a frequent flyer for this fixture).

Arsenal is coming off a brutal Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea just three days prior. The fatigue is real. Arteta is going to have to rotate, which means we might see more of the kids. Max Dowman would’ve been an option if not for his own ankle injury, so the bench is looking a bit thin.

How to Actually Watch This Without the Fluff

Look, you can read a thousand "tactical previews," but this game usually comes down to whether Arsenal can score in the first 20 minutes. If they don't, the City Ground crowd wakes up, and the game turns into a scrap.

Watch for:

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1. The Set-Piece Battle: Gabriel Magalhães vs. Nikola Milenković. This will be a wrestling match in the box.
2. The Havertz Return: Kai Havertz finally looked sharp in his cameo against Pompey. If he starts, his late runs into the box might be the only way to unlock the Forest low block.
3. The Counter-Attack: Anthony Elanga’s pace against a makeshift Arsenal left-back (potentially Myles Lewis-Skelly) is a mismatch Forest will try to exploit every single time.

This isn't just another game for Arsenal; it’s a psychological hurdle. If they want to prove they’ve outgrown their past failures, they have to go to a cold, loud stadium in the East Midlands and win ugly.

Actionable Next Steps:

• Monitor the Friday Pressers: Check the final fitness updates on Piero Hincapié. If he’s out, Arsenal’s left flank is a massive "Insert Goal Here" sign for Anthony Elanga.
• Check the Lineups 60 Minutes Early: Look specifically for whether Kai Havertz or Viktor Gyökeres starts. Arteta might favor Havertz’s height to deal with Dyche’s set-piece routines.
• Track the Market: If you're looking at the odds, the "Under 2.5 Goals" market has historically been a smart play at the City Ground when big teams visit.