'Will be too much': Paul Merson predicts result of Arsenal v Nottingham Forest clash tomorrow
Today at 02:15 AM
Arsenal return to action on Saturday when they play host to Nottingham Forest in a 3pm Premier League kick-off.
With the international break finally out of the way, the Gunners will be eager to get back to winning ways and revive their faltering title challenge.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest have had an incredible start to the season, but they go into the Arsenal game on the back of a 3-1 home loss to Newcastle United.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners haven’t won in the league since the start of October, putting them level on points with Nuno Espirito Santo’s Reds on 19.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson, one of the regular Premier League match previewers, has now had his say on how he feels the Gunners will fare against Forest.
Paul Merson backs Arsenal to beat Nottingham Forest
Merson, writing on Sportskeeda, admits the Forest fixture is a “tricky game” for Arsenal, who have no more wiggle room as things stand.
However, he reckons the Gunners will have what it takes to get over the line and predicted a 3-1 home win.
“It is a tricky game for Arsenal because they have no more mistakes left in them now,” wrote Merson. “They have to keep winning, it’s as simple as that.
“Nottingham Forest are actually a better team away from home. But that defeat to Newcastle is a sign of their good start slowly wearing off now.
“I feel Arsenal’s midfield will be too much for Forest in this game. The likes of Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey will dominate them.
“Forest are always a threat on the counter-attack, but I’m not sure if Chris Wood can cause too many problems to the like of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.”
Arsenal v Forest preliminary team news
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice pulled out of the England squad due to knocks, though it doesn’t look as though either player is at risk of missing the Forest game.
However, Leandro Trossard suffered an injury while playing for Belgium and he appears to be a doubt for Saturday’s match.
It remains to be seen whether Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are fit, while Ben White is out following surgery, though Kieran Tierney is now back in team training.
As for Forest, only Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are definitely out for the game, with the former recovering from an ankle injury and the latter having a thigh issue.
