Nottm Forest vs Arsenal: 0-0, Stats, Lineups | 17 Jan 2026

The Premier League threw up a familiar story on 17 January 2026 — Arsenal arrived at The City Ground as league leaders, produced the dominant numbers across almost every metric, and walked away with a point instead of all three. Matz Sels made several stunning saves that kept Nottingham Forest level, and a 0-0 draw left the Gunners still unable to pull fully clear at the top of the table.

Date: 17 January 2026 · Venue: City Ground · Competition: Premier League · Result: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal

The table below outlines the key match statistics from the 0-0 draw at the City Ground.

Nottm forest vs arsenal prediction

Ahead of kick-off at 17:30 UTC on 17 January 2026, several outlets had already run the numbers. Sports Mole’s analysts settled on a 1-3 Arsenal victory, while Squawka Bet went with an Arsenal win combined with under 4.5 goals scored. Pre-match outright odds backed the visitors heavily: Arsenal at 1.55, Forest at 5.60, the draw at 4.20, according to FootyStats. Those predictions reflected a deep disparity in form — Arsenal arrived with 15 wins, 4 draws, and just 2 losses from 21 games, while Forest had managed only 6 wins against 12 defeats, according to Squawka’s season breakdown.

We say: Nottingham Forest 1-3 Arsenal.

— Sports Mole analysts

Key factors influencing the outcome

The gap between the two sides was visible from the first whistle. Arsenal controlled 60% possession and generated 15 total shots against Forest’s 6, with the visitors also creating four big chances that all went begging. Forest’s expected goals sat at just 0.34 compared to Arsenal’s 2.10, indicating the hosts rarely threatened David Raya’s goal. WhoScored’s pre-match analysis had expected Arsenal to dominate possession, and that prediction held true on the night. The question was never whether Arsenal would attack — it was whether Forest’s defence, marshalled by a of crucial saves, could hold firm.

Expert views from sources

The consensus before the match leaned firmly toward an Arsenal victory. Sports Mole’s verdict read “Nottingham Forest 1-3 Arsenal,” and Squawka Bet’s forecast called for an Arsenal win alongside under 4.5 total goals. Neither prediction proved correct, but the underlying logic — Forest’s struggles at home and Arsenal’s away record of 9 wins from 16 road trips this season — was sound. The draw owed more to individual excellence between the posts than to any sudden shift in the underlying matchup.

Our Forecast: Arsenal to Win & Under 4.5 Goals.

— Squawka Bet predictors

Nottm forest vs arsenal lineups

Both starting XIs tracked closely to what Sports Illustrated had predicted in the lead-up to the fixture. Forest set up in a 4-2-3-1 shape with Matz Sels behind a back four of Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, and Williams. The midfield pairing of Sangare and Anderson sat ahead of a forward line featuring Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, and Dominguez supporting striker Jesus. Arsenal’s 4-3-3 saw David Raya in goal, with White, Saliba, Gabriel, and Timber across the back line. Odegaard, Zubimendi, and Rice anchored the midfield, while Madueke, Gyokeres, and Martinelli led the line.

Predicted starting XI

Sports Illustrated’s predicted Forest lineup matched the actual side almost exactly — the same goalkeeper, the same defensive four, and only minor variations in the attacking midfield positions. That alignment between prediction and reality suggested Forest’s selection was relatively predictable going into the match, with few surprises from manager Nuno Espírito Santo.

Key player absences

Forest went into the match without Chris Wood and Ryan Yates, both ruled out through injury. Sangare and Boly were also unavailable after returning late from AFCON duty, compounding Forest’s list of absentees, per Squawka’s team news report. Arsenal’s injury concerns were less severe but still present: Cristhian Mosquera, Max Dowman, and Riccard Calafi were all out, leaving the visitors without three squad members who had featured at various points this season.

Nottm forest vs arsenal stats

The match statistics painted a stark picture. Arsenal finished with 60% possession, 15 total shots, and 9 corners compared to Forest’s 40% possession, 6 shots, and 4 corners. Sky Sports recorded zero Forest shots on target — the home side never tested David Raya from open play. The Gunners’ passing accuracy of 84.2% (416 accurate passes) dwarfed Forest’s 80.7% (259 accurate passes), reflecting the visitors’ control across the park. Duels were almost evenly split at 46 won by Forest to 48 by Arsenal, with ground duels at 29-30 in Arsenal’s favour and aerial duels at 17-18. Yellow cards were issued one each, and no red cards appeared.

Sels’ stunning save frustrates Premier League leaders.

— FotMob Report

Head-to-head records

Arsenal’s recent dominance over Forest runs deep. In the past 12 Premier League meetings, Arsenal have won 7, Forest 3, with 2 draws — and the Gunners outscored Forest 26-8 across those games, according to SoccerPunter’s H2H database. The all-time Premier League record extends even further: Arsenal have 56 wins, Forest 29, with 24 draws across 109 matches, per WorldFootball. Forest had gone three straight Premier League games without scoring against Arsenal before this 0-0 draw finally broke that pattern, albeit without finding the net themselves.

Recent form

Forest’s home record this season offered little comfort ahead of this fixture. They had won just 3 of 16 home Premier League games before kick-off, per SoccerPunter’s data. Arsenal, by contrast, had collected 9 wins from 16 away fixtures, making the City Ground trip a difficult assignment on paper. The most recent meeting between the clubs — a 3-0 Arsenal win at the Emirates in September 2025 — had followed the same script: Gunners dominant, Forest chasing shadows.

Nottm forest vs arsenal live stream

Viewers in the UK could follow the match through BBC’s live coverage, with the 17:30 UTC kick-off fitting the standard afternoon slot that major broadcasters typically cover. Sofascore offered real-time match updates, ball-by-ball commentary, and post-match statistics for those who wanted second-screen tracking alongside the TV broadcast.

Official streaming options

The Premier League’s official broadcast partners vary by region, but Sky Sports holds UK rights for most mid-season fixtures. For international audiences, the league’s own platform and regional licensees such as Peacock (USA), Optus Sport (Australia), and CNA/StarHub partners provide coverage. Checking with your local provider ensures access to the full 90 minutes without blackouts.

Legal viewing guides

Illegal streaming sites often surface around high-profile fixtures, but the risks — poor quality, malware, unreliable uptime — make legitimate options far more practical. BBC iPlayer offers free access for UK residents, while international viewers can subscribe to league-authorised platforms for around £10–15 per month depending on the provider.

Nottm forest vs arsenal highlights

Post-match video highlights were available through Arsenal.com’s official channel, which typically uploads match recaps within hours of the final whistle. Sky Sports and the Premier League’s own YouTube channel also publish condensed packages covering key moments — saves, near-misses, and tactical sequences from the 0-0 draw.

Post-match video sources

For those who missed the live broadcast, the Premier League’s official YouTube channel is typically the fastest source for a three-minute highlights package. Arsenal.com publishes extended recaps with manager reaction and player interviews, while Forest’s own channel provides the home perspective on the result.

Key moments recap

The standout moments centred on Matz Sels’ goalkeeping. The Belgian made a string of saves that prevented what had looked like inevitable Arsenal goals, frustrating the league leaders on a night when their shooting accuracy — 3 shots on target from 15 attempts — suggested they should have scored more. At the other end, Forest created virtually nothing: zero shots on target, an xG of just 0.34, and no clear-cut chances registered on the official match data.

Related reading: Nottingham Forest vs Everton F.C. Standings – 2024 Points Gap and Form Guide

Arsenal, who secured a commanding 3-0 victory back in September at the Emirates, dominated xG here but were thwarted by Sels’ heroic saves.

Frequently asked questions