Game Week 27 Predictions: Forest to beat Arsenal at the City Ground

Arsenal visits Nottingham Forest, desperate to recover from their title race setback. Can Forest secure a top-four , or will the Gunners bounce back.

Nottingham Forest has the chance to fight for their top-four place against a badly wounded Arsenal, will they take their chance? (Photo credit: Opta)

 

Nottingham vs Arsenal

City Ground

8:30pm

 

Arsenal’s title hopes went up in flames on Saturday, right in front of their fans, as West Ham came to town and carted away three precious points. It’s all over for the Gunners in the title race, right?

Nottingham Forest’s top four desires are under threat too. Despite starting this game in third on the log, it feels a lot like it’s the last time we would ever talk about Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the context of a top-four finish; they need a result here.

Where did it go wrong for the Gunners? From putting pressure on Liverpool after the Kops failed to beat Aston Villa last week to now going eleven points behind Arne Slot’s side and, despite playing one game fewer than the Reds, Arsenal’s title race is as good as done.

The Gunners failed to bolster the squad in January despite obviously needing bodies. Three key figures in their forward line dropped off injured, and they had to field Mikel Merino upfront in back-to-back games. They laid their beds; they must enjoy the sleep.

Forest labored in their 4-3 defeat to Newcastle at the weekend; they left things too late after going in front at St. James’s Park and must ensure they don’t make the same mistake when they host the Gunners on Wednesday.

Right now, the top four tickets are in the hands of the two teams, and despite up to six points separating them on the log, Arsenal should have enough to finish second for the third straight season; however, finishing in the top four would represent an achievement of sorts for Forest.

Chris Wood is having a season of his life. At 33, the New Zealand striker has planted himself in the Golden Boot race; it’s looking like that already belongs to Mohammed Salah of Liverpool, but Wood’s name is forever etched in the history of Forest for what he has achieved so far.

Arsenal doesn’t have many choices but to reconsider their Mikel Merino experiment. The Spaniard started up front against West Ham and did nothing of note. However, Raheem Sterling is proving to be a mistake, and Leandro Trossard does better on the wings.

Ethan Nwaneri is the go-to for Arsenal for creativity, while Martin Ødegaard must get his act right too. Declan Rice had a game to forget at the weekend; he needs to step up while the defensive setup that earned the Gunners plaudits last season needs to find its form again.

Verdict: Forest to win or draw.