Arsenal suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to West Ham on Saturday which allowed Liverpool to open up an 11-point gap at the top of the Premier League by beating Manchester City 2-0 a day later.
The title is certainly the Reds’ to lose and Mikel Arteta is now staring down the barrel at a fifth consecutive season without a major trophy.
The Gunners are still in the UEFA Champions League but, sitting only nine points clear of fifth-placed Newcastle United in the Premier League, they must also be careful to not let their league form take too much of a hit as they pursue European glory.
However, there is every chance things could go from bad to worse on Wednesday as they head to the City Ground to take on third-placed Nottingham Forest, who can close the gap to the Londoners to just three points with a victory.
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal betting tips and predictions
Nottingham Forest to win - 29/10
Despite their 1-0 loss to West Ham, Arsenal do still come into Wednesday’s clash as favourites, but, while they comfortably beat Forest 3-0 in the reverse fixture, things could be different this time around.
Firstly, Arteta has a very different squad to choose from this time. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are all sidelined, meaning the Spaniard will have to pick a makeshift frontline, likely to be Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard.
While that trio are all talented, they are anything but prolific.
They were all ineffective against West Ham and, facing a Forest defence who limited a dangerous Brighton attack to just five shots on target in a stunning 7-0 rout in their last outing at the City Ground, it is difficult to see them faring any better on Wednesday.
There is also the key difference that this match will be taking place in Nottingham, where Forest have been excellent for a while now.
The Tricky Trees are unbeaten in seven games at the City Ground, winning six of those and only being held to a draw by Liverpool, while a fired-up crowd know a victory would see them move closer to second spot, which should help spur the hosts on to three points.
This season, Arsenal have won just two of their eight matches against sides who entered this round of fixtures in the top six of the Premier League and Nuno Espirito Santo’s counter-attacking style could see that poor record continue on Wednesday.
Nikola Milenkovic anytime goalscorer - 12/1
Arsenal were undone by a West Ham counter-attack on Saturday, with Jarrod Bowen starting his side’s break on the edge of his own box before providing the finishing touch with his head, and Nuno will look to replicate Graham Potter’s gameplan.
However, while counter-attacks are very much a route to goal for Forest on their own, it is actually what could come from a barrage of speedy sieges which could actually provide an excellent road towards profit in Wednesday’s top-three clash.
The Tricky Trees’ wing duo of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga will be the outlet for their counters and any runs towards the byline, as well as shots from a dangerous central pairing of Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White, could earn plenty of corners.
Ahead of this round of fixtures, only Aston Villa (13) had scored more set-play goals than Forest’s 11 and their standout aerial presence, Nikola Milenkovic, looks like a huge price to find the net.
Arsenal themselves are strong at attacking set-pieces, netting 10 from such situations, but they are not so good at defending them, conceding seven - the joint-fifth most in the Premier League.
Milenkovic has looked a real threat in the air of late, scoring three goals in 12 matches, and his huge frame and exceptional leap could see him find the net for the second time in as many games.
Riccardo Calafiori to be booked - 13/5
Arsenal’s big defensive signing of the summer, Riccardo Calafiori, has struggled to nail down a regular spot in the starting XI this term and his 56 minutes against the Hammers proved exactly why.
Bowen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave the Italian a torrid time and he was replaced by youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly early on in the second half, although the latter was then sent off shortly after.
With Lewis-Skelly suspended, Arteta will have to reinstate Calafiori, which makes the Italian a prime candidate for a booking at the City Ground.
Calafiori has picked up five yellow cards in just 17 starts this term and he could be in for an extremely tough evening, with Elanga’s pace and Ola Aina’s overlaps likely to cause him all sorts of problems.
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Nottingham Forest v Arsenal odds
Nottingham Forest - 29/10
Draw - 5/2
Arsenal - 19/20
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
