A day after Manchester City visit Burnley in the 2023/24 Premier League season’s opener, Arsenal host Nottingham Forest at the Emirates with a desire to go one better than last term and win the title.
Manager Mikel Arteta is aiming for title glory after a summer that has seen Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber arrive at the Emirates, strengthening a squad that finished five points behind City in second last campaign.
Forest are hoping for a much less dramatic season in 2023/24 as they seek to consolidate their status as a Premier League team. Their transfer window has not been as prolific as it was last summer, but Anthony Elanga, Chris Wood and Matt Turner could improve the first-team squad straight away.
Here’s all you need to know about the Premier League’s first Saturday game of the 2023/24 season.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest H2H Record (Last Five Games)
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Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
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United Kingdom |
TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate |
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United States |
Peacock |
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Canada |
fuboTV Canada |
Despite having a relatively busy and successful transfer window, Arteta is not flooded with choices ahead of the Premier League opener. Both Gabriel Jesus and Mohamed Elneny are out of the picture with injuries.
Oleksandr Zinchenko missed the Community Shield victory against Manchester City, but new signing Timber impressed and could start at left-back again in the Ukranian’s absence. Reiss Nelson, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Jorginho and Folarin Balogun were all absent on Sunday and may not be available at the weekend.
With Jesus injured, Arteta must decide whether he wants to use Havertz, Leandro Trossard or Eddie Nketiah at the centre of the attack on Saturday.
Arsenal predicted lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
There are a few important players that should be able to return from injury in time to face Arsenal, with Taiwo Awoniyi and Brennan Johnson possibly back in the starting XI after fitness issues. Awoniyi is more likely to start at present.
Felipe will be under consideration after a knee injury, but Steve Cooper is definitely without Moussa Niakhate, Wayne Hennessey and Omar Richards. Matt Turner could immediately make his debut against his old team in goal, with Ola Aina also in line for his Forest bow.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup (3-5-2): Turner; Worrall, Boly, McKenna; Aurier, Yates, Danilo, Mangala, Aina; Gibbs-White, Awoniyi.
Given the way Arsenal held their own against Man City in the Community Shield final and the players that have come into the team, Arteta’s side should be very strong again this season.
Timber and Rice in particular look as though they should be able to improve the first-team squad straight away, which is a major plus. Havertz will need to find his feet in whatever role Arteta carves out for him, but there should still be enough firepower for Arsenal to get the better of this Nottingham Forest side.
