In the most recent Premier League encounters for the 2025/26 season, Arsenal defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on September 13, 2025, while the return fixture at the City Ground on January 17, 2026, ended in a 0-0 draw. Historically, Arsenal holds the advantage in this rivalry with 56 wins compared to Nottingham Forest’s 29, with 24 draws recorded across 109 competitive meetings. This guide provides a deep dive into the tactical evolution of both clubs, head-to-head statistics, and essential matchday information for fans traveling to North London or the East Midlands.
2025/26 Season Match Results
The first meeting of the 2025/26 campaign saw a dominant Arsenal performance at the Emirates. Martin Zubimendi stole the headlines by scoring a brace, marking his first-ever Premier League goals, while Viktor Gyökeres added a third to secure the 3-0 victory. This match was notable as it marked Ange Postecoglou’s debut as the Nottingham Forest head coach.
In contrast, the second leg in January 2026 was a much tighter affair. Forest, under Postecoglou’s settled system, managed to frustrate the Gunners’ title charge with a disciplined defensive display, holding them to a scoreless draw at the City Ground.
Head-to-Head Historical Record
Across all competitions, including the top flight and domestic cups, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have faced off 109 times. Arsenal’s 56 victories represent a clear historical edge, though Forest’s 29 wins include some of the most iconic moments in English football history, particularly during the late 1970s and early 1980s under Brian Clough.
Interestingly, while Arsenal has been dominant at home—winning their last seven home games against the Garibaldi—the City Ground remains a difficult venue for the North London side. Forest’s most recent home win against Arsenal was a 1-0 victory in May 2023, a result that famously ended Arsenal’s title hopes that season.
Tactical Evolution and Managers
Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal into a possession-heavy, high-pressing side that utilizes “inverted” full-backs and creative midfielders like Martin Ødegaard to overload the final third. The 2025/26 season saw the integration of new signings like Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, who have added directness and flair to the wings.
Nottingham Forest’s tactical identity has shifted with the appointment of Ange Postecoglou. Known for “Angeball”—an aggressive, high-line offensive style—Postecoglou has sought to move Forest away from a low-block counter-attacking team into one that challenges established giants through high-intensity pressing and quick transitions.
Key Players to Watch
For Arsenal, Viktor Gyökeres has become the primary goal threat, frequently competing at the top of the Premier League scoring charts alongside players like Erling Haaland. In midfield, Martin Zubimendi provides the structural balance, acting as a deep-lying playmaker who can also arrive late in the box to score.
Nottingham Forest relies heavily on the creativity of Morgan Gibbs-White and the defensive leadership of Murillo. Neco Williams has also emerged as a vital component of their attacking play from the wing-back position, often being the catalyst for Forest’s most dangerous counters.
Head‑to‑head record
Historically, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have met around 15–16 competitive matches since the mid‑1990s, with Arsenal winning the majority of those fixtures and Forest registering a smaller number of wins plus a couple of draws. In that sample Arsenal have scored around 30–31 goals, while Forest have managed closer to 12, giving the Gunners a clear edge in goal‑difference and average goals per game.
In the last five meetings, Arsenal have won two games, drawn one, and lost two, reflecting a slightly tighter balance than the long‑term trend, with Forest picking up more points in this smaller window. Overall, the fixture is often categorized as a fixture where Arsenal are strong favorites, but Forest can cause upsets if they stay compact, limit their mistakes, and hit the Gunners on the counter.
Key stats snapshot
Across the modern‑era sample of Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest matches, Arsenal average roughly 1.9–2.0 goals per game, while Forest average closer to 0.8–1.0, underscoring the Gunners’ attacking superiority. Arsenal also tend to enjoy higher‑ball possession and more shots on target, especially in home fixtures at the Emirates, where the Gunners create chances via overlapping full‑backs, central‑midfield combinations, and quick‑transition runs.
Forest, by contrast, often fall short of half of the overall possession numbers and rely more on set‑pieces and transitions to generate their own chances. In recent contests, shots‑on‑target and expected‑goals metrics show Arsenal repeatedly creating several “big chances” while Forest manufacture fewer clear‑cut opportunities, which is why the fixture often ends with a multi‑goal Arsenal win or a narrow Forest‑defensive draw if the Gunners’ finishing is off.
Recent Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest matches
In recent seasons Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest fixtures have been played both at the Emirates Stadium in London and at The City Ground in Nottingham, reflecting the usual home‑and‑away rotation in the Premier League. One of the more lopsided results in recent years was Arsenal’s 3–0 home win on 23 November 2024, where the Gunners controlled the game for large stretches and sealed the points with a comfortable margin.
In that match Arsenal dominated possession and outshot their visitors, with a combination of slick midfield work and clinical finishing allowing them to move past a Forest side that offered resistance in patches but could not sustain the pressure. Other recent meetings have seen Forest harvest points as well, including a 0–0 draw where Arsenal created multiple chances but were repelled by a combination of Forest’s defensive organization and a key goalkeeping save late in the game.
2025–26 season‑sample fixture
A notable 2025–26‑season‑sample meeting between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at The City Ground produced a goalless draw, with Arsenal pressing heavily but failing to convert several clear‑cut opportunities. The official stats for that game show Arsenal with around 60% possession, roughly 15 shots, and an expected‑goals figure above 2.0, while Forest managed about 40% possession, six shots, and an expected‑goals value around 0.34.
This type of scoreline highlights how Forest’s setup can neutralize Arsenal’s attacking advantages on the day, even if the Gunners statistically dominate the game. It also underlines why such a fixture can be tense for Arsenal fans: the team may look dominant on paper but still struggle to breach a well‑organized, compact Forest side that circles the penalty area and absorbs pressure.
Playing styles and tactical matchup
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest is a textbook clash of styles: Arsenal, under their current management, typically set up in a 4‑2‑3‑1 or 4‑3‑3 formation emphasizing possession, high pressing, and quick transitions from the back. The Gunners use full‑backs overlapping on the flanks, central midfielders circulating the ball, and a mobile front line designed to stretch the opposition’s defensive shape horizontally and vertically.
Nottingham Forest, by contrast, often line up in a more compact 4‑2‑3‑1 or 4‑4‑2‑style structure, with a low defensive line and two banks of four defending deep in their own half. Their main aim is to limit space in the central channels, soak up pressure, and then look to exploit Arsenal’s high defensive line on the counter, especially down the flanks or via long‑ball switches from the back.
How Forest try to frustrate Arsenal
In Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest games, Forest’s coaches often prioritize defensive discipline and compactness over attacking ambition, particularly when visiting the Emirates or facing a strong‑positioned Arsenal side. The starting point is a tight back four, with two central midfielders screening in front and wingers dropping back to help shield the full‑backs, which makes it harder for Arsenal’s wide players and midfielders to find clean passing lanes.
Forest also tend to be careful with the ball, avoiding risky passes in their own third and using simpler, vertical outlets when possible. Their hope is to stay in the game, force Arsenal to drop deeper, and then seize on a mistake, a set‑piece, or a moment of individual brilliance to take a lead or a point. When this plan works, it creates the kind of tight, low‑score draw that leaves Arsenal fans frustrated despite their overall dominance.
Key players and performers
In recent Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest fixtures, several Arsenal players have stood out as key difference‑makers. Bukayo Saka, operating on the right wing, has been involved in goals and assists in some of the Gunners’ bigger wins, using his movement, shooting, and link‑up play to stretch Forest’s defense. Martin Ødegaard, as playmaker and captain, often orchestrates much of the attacking play, deciding when to speed up the tempo or recycle possession in the middle third.
On the Forest side, different players rise to the occasion depending on the season, but the standout moments usually come from a combination of committed defenders who hold the line well and a goalkeeper making critical saves at key moments. These individual performances can turn an Arsenal‑dominated possession and chance‑map into a tight, goal‑shy encounter, which is why the fixture often hinges on not just tactics but also on individual‑moment‑of‑truth interventions.
Fixture dates and typical schedule
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest fixtures are scheduled according to the Premier League calendar, with the exact date varying by season but usually falling between August and May. Home‑and‑away meetings are typically spaced out, with the Emirates‑based game and the The City Ground‑based game falling on different weekends, often separated by several months.
Kick‑off times are usually in the mid‑afternoon or early evening UK time, with Saturday‑afternoon slots (around 12:30–15:00) and midweek‑evening slots (around 19:30–20:00) being common. These timings are designed to accommodate domestic‑television windows and international‑broadcast partners, so fans in other time zones may need to watch the match in the early morning or late evening, depending on their location.
Practical information for fans
For fans wanting to attend an Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest match live, the main options are tickets at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal‑home games or at The City Ground for Nottingham‑Forest‑home fixtures. Tickets for both clubs are sold through official club‑ticketing websites and partner platforms, with prices varying by stand, seat type, and opposition, but generally starting in the mid‑figure range for standard‑level seats and rising sharply for premium or hospitality packages.
For Arsenal‑home games at the Emirates, public‑transport links include the London Underground (Piccadilly Line to Arsenal station) and several bus routes, with match‑day services often boosted around kick‑off. For Nottingham‑Forest‑home games at The City Ground, visitors can reach the stadium via Nottingham’s train station and local bus routes, with directional signs and stewards guiding crowds onto the ground, especially on busy match days.
What to expect on match day
On an Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest match day, crowds at the Emirates are typically very loud and heavily in Arsenal’s favor, with a strong attacking emphasis in the stands as well as on the pitch. The atmosphere is amplified by the club’s modern facilities, food‑and‑drink options, and digital displays, creating a high‑energy environment that can put extra pressure on visiting Forest players.
At The City Ground in Nottingham, the atmosphere is more intimate but still intense, with a compact stand layout and a vocal home‑support base that can make it difficult for Arsenal players to play through the tight channels. Both venues enforce strict security and stewarding, so fans should arrive early, follow staff instructions around bag checks and seating, and be aware of any restrictions on flags, banners, or large supporter‑group displays.
How to watch Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest matches are regularly broadcast on major sports‑broadcast partners in the UK, including TNT Sports and related streaming‑service platforms, which carry live coverage and sometimes red‑button‑style alternative‑angle options. These domestic channels are the primary way UK fans watch the game, especially for high‑profile or mid‑season Premier League fixtures.
Internationally, different broadcasters and streaming services hold rights to Premier League coverage, so Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest may appear on NBC‑linked platforms in the United States, on JioHotsport in India, on Stan Sport in Australia, or on other regional outlets, depending on the season and rights‑deal cycles. Streaming options sometimes require a subscription or a pay‑per‑view add‑on, so fans should check their local‑provider listings or the Premier League’s officialwatch‑information pages for the most up‑to‑date details.
Seasonal and timely angles
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest games that fall later in the season—around January to May—often carry more tactical and standings‑related weight than early‑season meetings. If Arsenal are in a title‑race or top‑four position, every fixture becomes a “must‑win” or “minimum‑three‑points” scenario, which can increase the pressure on both the team and the opposition’s defensive setup.
For Nottingham Forest, such fixtures can be pivotal in the battle to avoid relegation or to clinch a mid‑table finish, depending on the exact table position at the time. This context often means Forest show extra resilience and defensive discipline, turning what might be an expected Arsenal‑win on paper into a nerve‑tingling, low‑score battle where a single slip or a moment of individual quality can decide the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the most goals in Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest history?
Frank Stapleton remains the all-time top scorer for Arsenal in this fixture with 6 goals. For Nottingham Forest, the record is shared by Peter Davenport and Alan Hinton, who both scored 5 goals.
How many times has Nottingham Forest won the European Cup compared to Arsenal?
Nottingham Forest has won two European Cups (now the UEFA Champions League), famously in 1979 and 1980. Arsenal has never won the Champions League, with their best finish being runners-up in 2006.
What is the “Angeball” effect on this fixture?
Since Ange Postecoglou took over Forest in 2025, the matches have become more balanced. His high-pressing system forced Arsenal into a much lower pass-completion rate during their 0-0 draw in early 2026 compared to previous seasons.
When was the last time this match was played in a cup competition?
The last major cup meeting was in the 2021-22 FA Cup, where Nottingham Forest secured a 1-0 win at the City Ground, famously knocking Arsenal out in the third round.
Is there a trophy named after this fixture?
While there is no official trophy, fans often refer to the history of these two clubs as a battle of “English Football Royalty,” given both clubs’ deep roots in the early First Division and their European successes.
Final Thoughts
The matches between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in the 2025/26 season reinforced a clear geographical divide in the fixture’s competitiveness. Arsenal’s absolute dominance at the Emirates Stadium remains unbroken, with the North London side securing a comfortable 3-0 win in September 2025. This victory extended Forest’s winless away streak against the Gunners to over 37 years, a run dating back to the late 1980s.
However, the 0-0 draw at the City Ground in January 2026 underscored Nottingham Forest’s growing resilience under the management of Ange Postecoglou. By successfully neutralizing an Arsenal attack led by Viktor Gyökeres and Martin Ødegaard, Forest proved they are no longer merely survivors but tactical competitors capable of halting title contenders. While Arsenal holds the historical and statistical advantage, the gap is closing in terms of defensive organization and home-field advantage for Garibaldi.
To Read More: Manchester Independent