Arsenal vs Nottingham: Broadcast options, preview, team news

Topics: TV Listings, TV Schedules, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, English Premier League

After finishing in second place last season, the Gunners will once again hope to kick off another title challenge on a high note as they host Nottingham Forest.

After finishing in second last season - despite spending a record 248 days on top of the Premier League table - Arsenal will once again look to challenge for the Premier League title. The Gunners begin their quest with a home match against Nottingham Forest, a team that they have avoided defeat in their last 12 meetings when playing at home.

Mikel Arteta's side have spent quite a bit of money in the transfer market in order to boost their squad, with Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, and Kai Havertz all expected to feature in Saturday's match. Arsenal have started off their season on a high note following their victory in the Community Shield against Manchester City earlier this month, and will look to use that recent success as a positive springboard as they aim to overcome a curious hoodoo that has plagued them as of late.

Despite winning their last 12 home ties against Nottingham Forest, with their last loss taking place over 34 years ago in March 1989, Arsenal oddly have not fared well when playing their opening Premier League at home. In fact, out of their last six season openers on home soil, the Gunners have won just twice, while losing the other four.

However, their opponents haven't fared that much better on opening day. Nottingham Forest, who did beat Arsenal 1-0 at home to secure their top flight status, have lost their opening game in their last four seasons. In addition, the visiting side have not kicked off their season with an away win since the 1997/98 campaign, and posted the worst away record in the Premier League last term, with just eight points (one win, five draws) earned out of a possible 57.

Both teams will be aiming for different objectives coming into this contest. For the visitors, who narrowly escaped the drop, every point earned will go a long way towards staying afloat or returning to the Championship, while Arsenal, naturally, will want to get off on the right foot as they look to be among the contenders for the league title at the end of this season.

Team news: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

Arsenal: Both Gabriel Jesus and Mohamed Elneny are set to miss this game as they are not fully recovered from knee problems.

Nottingham Forest: Taiwo Awoniyi has recently returned to training but is highly unlikely to feature in the starting XI as he still completing his rehab process following and ankle injury.

Match facts: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 home ties against Nottingham Forest (W8 D4)
Nottingham Forest's last road win against Arsenal was a 3-1 result back in March 1989...
...however, they did beat Arsenal 1-0 at home to avoid relegation to the Championship
Arsenal's season openers at home from their last six fixtures is W2 L4
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest have lost their last four season openers