Nottingham Forest have a difficult problem before Arsenal even arrive at the City Ground: their most influential creator could be unavailable, their defensive leader is racing to regain fitness, and their attack has yet to produce a home league goal this season. Arsenal have an opportunity—but they must be smart enough to take it.
The upcoming Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal encounter presents a potentially decisive selection challenge for Oliver Glasner. Morgan Gibbs-White is doubtful after suffering a minor muscle injury against Crystal Palace, while centre-back Nikola Milenković is attempting to return after several weeks out with a hamstring issue and bone bruising. Nicolò Savona and Igor Jesus have been ruled out for Sunday’s fixture, according to [Nottingham Forest’s official team-news update](https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2026/october/16/milenkovi—-mgw–doubts–for-visit-of-arsenal/).
For Arsenal, those concerns create opportunities in midfield, in the spaces around Forest’s defence and during transitions from defence into attack. However, the Gunners have their own selection issues: William Saliba and Piero Hincapié remain sidelined, while Martin Zubimendi’s availability depends on a final assessment. [Reuters’ injury report](https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/zubimendi-close-arsenal-return-hincapie-still-sidelined-says-arteta-2026-10-16/) confirms that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was hopeful of having Zubimendi available.
The challenge is therefore more nuanced than simply asking whether Arsenal can beat an injury-hit opponent. The real question is whether they can identify Forest’s weakened areas, attack them consistently and avoid exposing their own defensive vulnerabilities.
Here are the three major injury concerns that could shape Sunday’s contest.
1. Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Can the Gunners Exploit Morgan Gibbs-White’s Absence?
The first and potentially most influential concern is Gibbs-White.
Forest’s captain and attacking midfielder is central to their attempts to connect midfield possession with the forward line. His movement between the lines, ability to find passes in crowded areas and willingness to carry the ball forward make him an important part of the team’s attacking structure.
Glasner confirmed that Gibbs-White had a minor muscle problem following the 3–1 defeat to Crystal Palace and had been unable to complete a full week of team training. The manager indicated that the England international could return to training before a final decision was made. His absence was therefore a doubt, not a confirmed exclusion, at the time of the latest club update. ([Official Forest report](https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2026/october/16/milenkovi—-mgw–doubts–for-visit-of-arsenal/))
Why Gibbs-White matters tactically
Gibbs-White provides a link between Forest’s midfield and attack. He can receive possession in the spaces behind opposition midfielders, turn towards goal and release runners before the defence has time to reorganise.
That role becomes particularly important against Arsenal, who are capable of dominating possession and forcing opponents into a compact defensive shape.
When Forest recover the ball, they need a player capable of making the first forward pass or carrying possession beyond the initial pressure. Without Gibbs-White, that transition could become slower and more predictable.
The statistical evidence underlines his importance. Sports Mole’s pre-match analysis reported that Gibbs-White had created 17 chances in the league this season, the second-highest total at that point. He had also produced seven big chances and 15 chances from open play, figures that placed him among the division’s leading creators in those categories. [View the statistical breakdown](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/nottingham-forest/predicted-lineups/will-gibbs-white-make-it-how-forest-could-line-up-against-arsenal_607037.html).
Those figures are particularly relevant because they suggest that Forest’s attacking production is closely tied to a player who may not be fully fit.
How Arsenal can exploit the situation
Arsenal should look to prevent Forest from playing through the centre and force the home side to develop attacks through less dangerous areas.
A disciplined midfield press could limit the time available to Forest’s replacement attacking midfielder, while Arsenal’s defensive midfielders can protect the passing lanes into the forward line.
The Gunners must also be alert to the possibility that Forest use Gibbs-White from the bench rather than risk him for the entire match. If he does feature, Arsenal should avoid allowing him to receive the ball unopposed between midfield and defence.
That does not mean surrounding him with multiple defenders and abandoning other areas. Instead, Arsenal need to maintain compact distances and ensure the player receiving the ball has few forward options.
Forest’s alternative could be to use Callum Hudson-Odoi in a more advanced role or redistribute creative responsibility across several players. Such changes would not necessarily make the home side ineffective, but they could alter the timing and quality of their attacks.
The verdict: Gibbs-White’s absence would remove one of Forest’s most important creative outlets. Arsenal should target the spaces he normally occupies, but they must still defend against alternative routes of progression rather than assume Forest will stop creating chances.
2. Nikola Milenković’s Fitness: Can Arsenal Target Forest’s Defensive Uncertainty?
The second major concern is Milenković.
Forest’s Serbian defender has been unavailable in recent weeks, having dealt with a hamstring problem and bone bruising. He returned to training before the Arsenal match, but Glasner made it clear that his readiness would depend on how he responded. The manager said Milenković could be included in the matchday squad, while stopping short of confirming that he was ready to start. [Forest’s official update](https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2026/october/16/milenkovi—-mgw–doubts–for-visit-of-arsenal/).
This distinction matters. A player returning to training is not automatically ready to perform at full intensity in a Premier League match.
Why a defensive reshuffle could benefit Arsenal
Milenković’s availability influences Forest’s central defensive options, particularly when the team faces sustained pressure in its own penalty area.
Arsenal possess the technical quality to move the ball quickly between wide and central positions, forcing opposing defenders to adjust their body shape and positioning. When those movements are well timed, they can create gaps between centre-backs, full-backs and midfielders.
If Milenković is unavailable—or fit only for limited minutes—Forest may have to rely on a different central-defensive combination. That can affect communication, marking responsibilities and the timing of decisions when attackers move across the defensive line.
Arsenal should not assume a replacement will automatically make mistakes. Rather, the Gunners should test the defensive structure repeatedly and identify whether Forest struggle to maintain their distances under pressure.
One potential route is to circulate the ball towards the flanks before attacking the spaces between the centre-back and full-back. Another is to use forward runs from midfield to force Forest’s defenders into difficult decisions about whether to step forward or protect the space behind them.
Set pieces could provide another opportunity. A defensive reshuffle can alter marking assignments and communication, giving Arsenal a reason to examine Forest’s positioning carefully. Any advantage, however, would depend on the actual personnel and arrangement used on the day.
Forest’s home record increases the pressure
Forest’s own pre-match preview identified another important problem: the club was still seeking its first home league goal of the season ahead of the Arsenal visit. Goals by Neco Williams and Igor Jesus had been ruled out by VAR in earlier home matches against Tottenham and Coventry. [Read Forest’s official match preview](https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2026/october/16/forest-preview—reds-host-gunners-on-trentside/).
That statistic places pressure on both ends of the pitch. Forest need to generate a more effective attacking performance, but committing additional players forward could expose their defensive line.
If Arsenal can score first, Forest may be forced to attack with greater urgency. That could create more space for the visitors to exploit on the counterattack.
The difficulty for Arsenal is that defensive absences can also affect their own ability to sustain a high line. Saliba’s continuing absence means the Gunners must carefully manage the space behind their defenders, rather than simply advance their entire back line in search of pressure.
The verdict: Milenković’s fitness could influence Forest’s defensive stability, but the bigger issue is whether the home side can retain its organisation throughout the match. Arsenal should target coordination and spacing rather than relying on individual errors.
3. Igor Jesus and Nicolò Savona: Forest’s Squad Depth Faces a Test
The third concern involves two confirmed absences.
Forest have ruled out striker Igor Jesus and defender Nicolò Savona for the Arsenal match. That does not guarantee that the home side will struggle, but it reduces Glasner’s options when adapting to different phases of the contest. [Nottingham Forest’s official team news](https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2026/october/16/milenkovi—-mgw–doubts–for-visit-of-arsenal/).
The loss of a forward and a defender creates different tactical consequences. Jesus’s absence affects the choices available in attack, while Savona’s unavailability limits the manager’s defensive depth.
Arsenal could benefit if Forest struggle to sustain their attacks
Against a side capable of controlling possession, Forest must make their opportunities count.
A forward’s role is not limited to finishing chances. The striker may need to hold up the ball, bring midfielders into play, attack crosses and provide an outlet when the team is under pressure.
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Without Jesus, Forest must redistribute those responsibilities among the attackers who are available. Liam Delap and the other forward options will need to ensure that clearances and quick passes do not simply return possession to Arsenal.
If Forest cannot retain the ball high up the pitch, Arsenal may be able to launch repeated attacks and keep the home side pinned back.
That would increase the workload on Forest’s defence and potentially expose any uncertainty surrounding Milenković’s fitness.
There is also a question of finishing. Forest’s 3–1 defeat at Crystal Palace highlighted their need to turn promising attacking situations into goals. Sports Mole reported that Forest created eight big chances in that match but converted only one, a figure that underlines how missed opportunities can undermine an otherwise encouraging attacking performance. [Match analysis and statistics](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/nottingham-forest/predicted-lineups/will-gibbs-white-make-it-how-forest-could-line-up-against-arsenal_607037.html).
Against Arsenal, Forest may not have the luxury of wasting similar opportunities.
Savona’s absence and the defensive options
Savona’s absence reduces Forest’s available defensive choices. Its impact will depend on the formation and personnel selected, but it could become important if the game requires an early substitution or an adjustment to the right side of the defence.
Arsenal should examine whether they can isolate a full-back against a winger or create two-against-one situations through overlapping runs. These combinations can force defenders to choose between closing down the ball and tracking the runner.
However, Forest’s other defenders remain capable of adjusting their roles. The aim should be to pressure their coordination and decision-making rather than overstate the importance of one missing player.
For Glasner, the challenge is preparing a clear alternative plan before kick-off. He must ensure that his replacements understand when to advance, when to maintain defensive cover and how to support the forward line when Forest regain possession.
The verdict: Losing Jesus and Savona reduces Forest’s options, while the doubts over Gibbs-White and Milenković make squad depth even more important. Arsenal can increase the pressure by sustaining their attacks, but they must remain disciplined enough to prevent Forest from exploiting the spaces left behind.
Arsenal’s Own Injury Concerns: Why the Gunners Must Remain Careful
It would be a mistake to portray this contest as a straightforward opportunity for Arsenal.
Saliba remains sidelined with a back problem, while Hincapié is recovering from an ankle injury. Zubimendi, who also suffered an ankle injury, was improving and could return, subject to assessment following the final training session before the match. Reuters reported that Arteta expected Hincapié to need another week or two before returning. [Reuters team-news report](https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/zubimendi-close-arsenal-return-hincapie-still-sidelined-says-arteta-2026-10-16/).
Saliba’s absence matters because central-defensive stability is especially important against a team that may seek to attack quickly after winning the ball.
Arsenal must therefore balance their desire to press with the need to protect the space behind their defenders. If they advance too many players and lose possession in central areas, Forest could find opportunities to counterattack through their available forwards.
Zubimendi’s status is another significant variable. If he is ready to return, Arsenal could benefit from another option for connecting defence and midfield. If he is unavailable, the remaining midfielders would need to manage possession and defensive transitions without him.
The important point is that Arsenal’s tactical plan must account for their own limitations while exploiting Forest’s.
Historical Context: Forest Cannot Be Written Off at the City Ground
Arsenal enter the contest with the stronger recent league form, but Forest have reasons to believe they can make the match difficult.
The latest Forest preview notes that the last two league meetings between the clubs at the City Ground ended 0–0. Those results demonstrate that Forest have previously found ways to frustrate Arsenal in front of their own supporters. [Forest’s official preview](https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2026/october/16/forest-preview—reds-host-gunners-on-trentside/).
Arsenal, by contrast, have won five of their first six Premier League matches, according to the latest weekend reporting. Their recent victories over Leeds United and Lille have also helped restore momentum after a difficult result against Brighton. [Current form and match preview](https://talksport.com/football/4646831/where-watch-nottingham-forest-arsenal-live-commentary-time-score-teams-channel/).
The contrast is clear: Arsenal have the better results, while Forest need to turn positive attacking periods into more consistent outcomes.
For Forest, the solution may be to remain compact, frustrate Arsenal’s attempts to play through midfield and make the most of counterattacking opportunities. For the Gunners, patience and efficient finishing will be essential if the home side defend deep.
Final Verdict: Can Arsenal Exploit Forest’s Injury Doubts?
The answer depends on whether Arsenal can convert their statistical and tactical advantages into a controlled performance.
Gibbs-White’s availability could determine how effectively Forest connect midfield with attack. Milenković’s fitness may influence the stability of the home side’s defence. The confirmed absences of Jesus and Savona further limit Glasner’s options, making squad management a significant part of the challenge.
Arsenal also have injuries to navigate, particularly in central defence. That means the visitors cannot simply assume possession will lead to control, nor can they allow their own defensive structure to become exposed.
The decisive factor could be Arsenal’s ability to turn pressure into clear chances while preventing Forest from attacking quickly.
If Gibbs-White is unavailable and Milenković cannot start, Arsenal should have opportunities to control the central areas and test Forest’s defensive organisation. But if the hosts remain compact and improve their finishing, the City Ground could once again become an uncomfortable venue for the visitors.
What’s next? Forest’s final team selection and Arsenal’s confirmation of Zubimendi’s availability will provide the clearest indication of how this tactical contest may unfold.
Can Arsenal take advantage of Forest’s injury concerns, or will Glasner’s side find a way to frustrate the champions again? Share your prediction in the comments and follow The Football Xtra for more Premier League previews, team news and tactical analysis.
