Arsenal must win this match to keep the title race alive. It has been a fine campaign for Mikel Arteta’s men, but it looks like they will be beaten to the crown by Manchester City. For Forest meanwhile, every single point matters in the battle against relegation. They are fighting for their lives and will have a ferocious home crowd behind them.
Take a look through this Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal stats pack below before you place your bet builder. You will find stats for goals, shots, cards and many other metrics to assist you in the betting markets. Take a look at our Stats Pack Guide if you need any additional guidance on how to use the data.
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Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Confirmed lineups
Forest should stick with a 4-3-3 formation with in-form striker Taiwo Awoniyi leading the line. The biggest doubt for manager Steve Cooper is midfielder Danilo who suffered a knock vs Chelsea last week. Attacker Emmanuel Dennis is back in training but will probably have to be content with a place on the bench. Forest have a bunch of long term injuries as well but no other fresh concerns.
Arsenal play a similar system each game and Mikel Arteta will not be changing the 4-3-3 formation despite a few injuries. Gabriel Martinelli has enjoyed a strong season but is now ruled out until the summer due to an ankle problem. This will give Leandro Trossard the opportunity to start on the left wing. The same can be said for Scottish left back Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior who will lineup at the back due to William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko missing out.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal team stats
Forest concede a lot of corners
Forest only average one goal per game overall but have netted 26 times in 18 Premier League home games. Their xG and xGA stats correlate closely to their actual metrics. Forest have had a poor defence this season and concede nearly 15 shots against per game.
It might be quite wise to include Arsenal most corners or the corner handicap in your Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal bet builder. The home team average significantly less corners (3.36) than they allow (6.63). Cards have been on the average to high side in Forest games (3.94). They tend to pick up more than their opponents.
Arsenal very well disciplined this season
Arsenal have had a fine season and average 2.31 goals per game, with a high SOT average of 5.08. They have also had a tight defence conceding just 1.17 goals in each fixture. The Gunners do not tend to concede many shots per game (9.03) but they are without two of their usual four starters here.
Mikel Arteta’s men have been very well disciplined this season averaging just 1.36 cards per game. They have not obtained a red card yet this campaign, despite a few close calls. The Gunners can be relied upon to rack up several corners (5.81) and as mentioned this is an angle to consider when constructing your bet builder.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal shots and shots on target stats
Don’t expect a barrage of Forest shots
No Forest player on this list averages more than one shot on target per 90 minutes. They have struggled to hit the target but the trio of Awoniyi, Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White could be considered if you wanted to be more adventurous with your Nottingham Forest bet builder. The same trio could also be considered for 2+ shots and tend to average close to that mark.
Jesus and Trossard might be the most likely to fire attempts
Gabriel Jesus is going to lead the line for the Gunners and can be expected to fire in the shots. It will be interesting to see if Trossard chances his luck a bit more here and in trying to make the most of his start on the left wing. Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are other obvious options for Arsenal in the shooting category.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal goals and assists stats
Gibbs-White’s technical ability can’t be ignored
It’s clear that Brennan Johnson and Taiwo Awoniyi are the two biggest goalscoring threats for Nottingham Forest. Both have eight goals and Awoniyi especially has been in great form recently. The clear creative output for the East Midlander’s is playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White. He is the best technical player in the team and for those feeling brave you could add him into your Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal bet builder.
Odegaard and Saka are a dual threat offensively
Both Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are a dual threat for Arsenal with goals and assists. Together, they’ve combined for 28 goals and 18 assists. Taking either to score or assist must be worth strong consideration for your Forest vs Arsenal bet builder. Jesus has missed a large chunk of the season to injury and could also be considered in the anytime scorer market.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal passing stats
Forest likely to operate on the break
Forest only average 38.20% possession, which is one of the lowest marks in the Premier League. They are built to sit back and counter-attack. It would be a surprise if any of their players eclipse the 50 passes mark and not many will even get above 30. Factoring in the style of play and opposition.
Defenders and Jorginho could rack up the passes
Arsenal can be expected to dominate the ball in this contest so taking some of their players in the 70+ or 90+ passing markets may appeal for your Arsenal bet builder. Jorginho is expected to be the heartbeat of the midfield here with both Ben White and Gabriel also strong candidates to keep things ticking over.
Nottingham Forest cards and fouls stats
Yates in for a tasty midfield battle
Forest have been slightly dirty this season and average over two cards per game. In terms of fouls, Ryan Yates sticks out like a sore thumb (2.44) along with fellow midfielder Orel Mangala. Both will be tested by the likes of Jorginho and Odegaard. Brennan Johnson can certainly be described as a pressing forward type and is probe to giving away a couple of cheap free kicks in less dangerous areas.
Gabriel Jesus is a regularly fouled man so we must look at the Forest centre backs Felipe and Moussa Niakhate, who will clearly have their hands full. The whole back line will be tested considering Saka and Trossard will belurking. Renan Lodi especially will have trouble against the elusive Saka who dribbles a lot and is fouled nearly twice per 90 minutes.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal key matchups
Ryan Yates vs Jorginho
Renan Lodi vs Bukayo Saka
Felipe vs Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal Cards and Fouls Stats
Foul machine Gabriel Jesus set to offend again
Arsenal have been a very clean team this season, but Gabriel Jesus stands out for having five cards considering he missed a large proportion of the campaign. He also averages nearly two fouls per game. He will harass opponents but is not a good timer of a tackle. Taking the Brazilian frontman for 1+ fouls in your Arsenal bet builder could be a good idea. Nobody else on this list averages more than one foul per game.
Ryan Yates is one of those players who fouls a lot, but also gets fouled a significant number of times (2.72 per 90 mins). Some of the Arsenal midfielders, possibly Granit Xhaka, may get sucked into some of his gamesmanship. Renan Lodi might cause some trouble on the left hand side for Ben White, whilst upfront Taiwo Awoniyi is a physical unit who needs dealing with.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal key matchups
Gabriel Jesus vs Felipe
Granit Xhaka vs Ryan Yates
Renan Lodi vs Ben White
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Bet Builder Tips and Picks of the Pack
We have put together a four fold bet builder that you may deem appealing. Feel free to swap in and add some of your own picks of the pack ahead of the City Ground showdown.
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Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
20th May
kick off 17:30 Nottingham Forest +2 handicap
Forest have only lost two home matches by a two-goal margin or more this season. They are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table and realistically Arsenal’s title race is done.
Over 4.5 Arsenal cornersThe away side average 5.81 corners per game and Forest concede an average of 6.33.
Gabriel Jesus 2+ foulsThe Brazilian is arguably Arsenal’s dirtiest player this season averaging close to two fouls per 90 mins.
Ryan Yates 2+ foulsHe averages 2.34 fouls per 90 mins and faces a tough trio of Arsenal midfielders in the form of Jorginho, Odegaard and Xhaka.
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