Nottingham Forest v Arsenal: Ola Aina aiming to upset Gunners at City Ground

Ola Aina and Nottingham Forest will look to disrupt Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge when the sides meet at the City Ground on Sunday, October 18.

Arsenal go into Matchweek 7 second in the table after losing only once in their opening six league matches. Forest are 15th, with one victory during the same period, while their home form remains a particular concern.

Arsenal’s strong start follows a new contract for manager Mikel Arteta, who signed an agreement running until June 2030 on October 7. The deal comes after he ended the club’s 22-year wait for the league title last season.

At Forest, Glasner is in his fourth month in charge after replacing Vitor Pereira in July 2026. He is the club’s fifth permanent manager in little over a year and is still seeking a consistent run of results.

Form guide

Arsenal’s only defeat in their past six league games came at Brighton, where they lost 3-0 on September 19. That result was surrounded by victories against Aston Villa, Chelsea and Sunderland, as well as a 2-1 away win at Leeds United on October 10.

The run has produced 10 goals and a goal difference of +5. Forest have won just once in the same period, beating Aston Villa 2-1 on September 12. They have scored only five goals this season and have failed to find the net in three of their six league matches.

Arsenal hold recent advantage

Arsenal are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the clubs, recording three wins and two draws since January 2024.

The most recent encounter ended 0-0 at the City Ground on January 17, 2026. Arsenal had previously defeated Forest 3-0 at Emirates Stadium on September 13, 2025, and by the same score at home on November 23, 2024. Those results came either side of a 2-1 Arsenal victory at the City Ground on January 30, 2024. The other draw was a 26 February 2025 meeting, also at Forest’s ground.

Across 96 Premier League meetings, Arsenal have won 48 times to Forest’s 26, with 22 draws. Arsenal also lead the goals record 145-102.

The home record is more balanced. Forest have won 20 of their 48 Premier League matches against Arsenal at the City Ground, drawing eight and losing 20. At Emirates Stadium, however, they have won only six of 28 visits.

Aina faces Havertz test

Aina has moved from right-back into a back three and is expected to face Kai Havertz, who has scored twice in six league appearances this season. Havertz often drops away from the front line to link play instead of remaining on the shoulder of the last defender.

That movement will present Aina with a different challenge from the recovery runs and one-on-one duels he usually handles on the flank. Forest’s defensive trio of Ousmane Diomande, Murillo and Aina must also monitor Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, who can move inside from deeper positions.

Aina, who has 49 caps for the Super Eagles since making his debut in 2017, remains one of Nigeria’s most experienced defenders. The 30-year-old is recognised for his one-on-one defending, dribbling and ability on the ball.

His performances were important to Forest’s remarkable league finish two seasons ago. After suffering injury problems last year, Aina has returned and is again among the club’s leading performers.