Game Week 14 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Nottingham Forest

Arsenal must prove they're not a spent force when they play Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on Sunday. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

Emirates Stadium

3:00pm

This is a huge opportunity to prove that the win over Liverpool last week wasn’t a fluke but Nottingham Forest must be careful when Arsenal come to town on Sunday.

Forest beat Liverpool through a goal from their own product but the result is now behind as the relegation stories are still very much around. You can celebrate a big win for as long as you want but you’re only as good as your last result and whatever happens against the Gunners will be the new yardstick.

Arsenal can be thrown under the spotlight after three indifferent results, one of a hard-fought win, a weird stalemate and a poor loss against Leeds United, Southampton and PSV respectively but is it time to press the panic button yet?

Manchester City has only scored one goal in their last four away games and no one is talking about it, the Gunners don’t have the pedigree of the Cityzens yet but can we begin to accord them the respect they deserve as group leaders?

Forest has only one job against Arsenal, stay compact and disciplined against Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka who are the main providers for the Gunners. Forest will seek to earn something but they can be mauled by a wounded lion if they’re not smart about their game play.

Arsenal can also end the talks about them hitting rock bottom with a commanding performance but even a 1-0 win will return them to the top of the log after City beat Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Saturday to move to the top of the table.

Gabriel Jesus is a man under scrutiny, he can blossom in this type of game and he will have to contend with red hot Dean Henderson in the Forest goal. Steve Cooper has rotated between Emmanuel Denis and Taiwo Awoniyi upfront, whoever he picks must find a way past the duo of William Saliba and Gabriel.

How will they line up? Arsenal is quite predictable, the midfield will be Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka with Martin odegaard moving around them but Forest can use the width of the pitch to create, how that works with Arsenal’s fullbacks is left to be seen.

Arsenal is the favorite for this, the Gunners haven’t dropped a single point at home this term but football can confound everyone. Whatever happens on Sunday, Arsenal should return to the top of the table without hassles.

Verdict: Arsenal to win