Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: team news, match details, key stats & predicted lineup

Arsenal will begin their search for a record-extending 15th FA Cup with a trip to Nottingham Forest in the third round on Sunday evening.

The Gunners suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on New Year’s day and felt they were robbed of a win in what was a controversial game.

Team news

Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate the team in preparations for the EFL Cup semifinal against Liverpool. The first leg was initially supposed to take place on January 6 at the Emirates stadium and the second leg on January 13 at Anfield however, Arsenal’s home tie was postponed to January 20 upon Liverpool’s request.

Arsenal will be without Thomas Partey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mohamed Elneny and Nicolas Pepe as they are away on AFCON duty while Gabriel is suspended.

Excl: Mika Biereth and Omari Hutchinson are included in the Arsenal squad to face Nottingham Forest tomorrow.

As previously reported, Charlie Patino and Salah Oulad M’Hand have also been selected. #AFC https://t.co/pVMgCCOcr6

— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) January 8, 2022

Predicted starting lineup

Leno; Cedric, Holding, Mari, Tavares; Lokonga, Patino; Omari Hutchinson, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Nketiah.

Key stats

Arsenal have won five of their last six meetings with Nottingham Forest in all competitions, though the exception was a 4-2 loss at the City Ground in the FA Cup third round in 2017-18.

Arsenal have been eliminated at the third round stage of the FA Cup just once in the last 25 seasons, though that one defeat did come away to Nottingham Forest in 2017-18.

This will be the fifth meeting in the FA Cup between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest with both sides progressing twice each.