Forest welcome champions Arsenal to the City Ground

Reigning champions Arsenal travelled to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, 18 October 2026, for a Premier League test at the City Ground.

Kick-off was set for 4:30pm UK time, with the game broadcast live on Sky Sports. General admission tickets had sold out, with adult prices starting from £50, and the league lists the fixture as part of the 2026/27 season Premier League.

The stakes were clear. Arsenal arrived with a 5-1-0 record, five wins, one draw and no defeats. Forest were 1-3-2 and still seeking their first home victory of the season. History offered Forest encouragement. Arsenal's last two visits to the City Ground before this match both ended in goalless draws, including a 0-0 in January 2026 that moved Arsenal seven points clear at the top.

Forest head coach Oliver Glasner faced the media before the game to preview the visit of the champions. His starting side lined up in a 3-4-2-1, that is three central defenders, four across midfield, two support attackers behind one striker The Guardian.

Matz Sels started in goal. Jair Cunha, Ousmane Diomande and Murillo formed the back three. Daniel Muñoz, Xaver Schlager, Nicolás Domínguez and Neco Williams filled the midfield. James McAtee and Dan Ndoye played behind Liam Delap.

It was two changes from the team beaten at Crystal Palace. Jair Cunha and Domínguez came in for Ola Aina and the injured Morgan Gibbs-White. There was a boost on the bench. Nikola Milenkovic returned to the squad after being absent since September.

Arsenal went with Raya in goal, behind Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori. Bruno Guimarães, Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard made up the central three. Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz led the attack.

It was six changes from the side that played Lille in midweek. White and Calafiori replaced Jurriën Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Saka and Havertz replaced Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres, who were both among the substitutes alongside Martín Zubimendi and 16-year-old Max Dowman.

Michael Oliver was the referee for the Sunday late game.

What makes this stand out is the contrast. Arsenal know how to win ugly on this ground. Forest know how to stop them. For fans, this means ninety minutes with no need for background. Champions against underdogs, a full house on Trentside, and one goal enough to lift the whole place.