Brief

Arsenal travel to City Ground aiming to bounce back after Brighton loss

Mikel Arteta's side hope to avoid a second consecutive away defeat as they prepare for the match against Nottingham Forest.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 19 Oct 2026 07:02:24 GMT

Arsenal are set to play Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on the afternoon of 18 October 2026, according to Standard Sport. The Gunners travel east of the River Trent seeking to halt a run of away defeats after a 3-0 loss to Brighton a month earlier.

What happened

The article notes that Arsenal beat Lille in the Champions League mid‑week, extending their perfect start to that competition. However, preparations for the league match have been disrupted by a fresh injury to Piero Hincapié, who suffered a setback following the weekend win over Leeds United. Forest entered the day a point above the relegation zone after back‑to‑back defeats surrounding the international break.

What the reports add

Standard Sport reports that Martin Zubimendi could be available for Arsenal, while Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard are expected to start. For Forest, manager Oliver Glasner hopes midfielder Morgan Gibbs‑White will be fit after a muscle injury sustained in a 3‑1 loss to Crystal Palace. The outlet also mentions that Gibbs‑White faces a late fitness test ahead of the match.

What was said

The piece quotes no direct speech but references Mikel Arteta’s optimism after the Lille win, noting that the side “should be in good spirits”. It also cites a Standard Sport match‑blog analyst, Matt Verri, who comments that there are “no real surprises in that Arsenal lineup” and that Eze earned his place after a strong performance against Lille.

How it came about

Arsenal’s recent schedule includes a Champions League victory over Lille and a heavy Premier League defeat to Brighton, which has heightened the importance of the Forest fixture. Forest’s recent form has been poor, with consecutive losses that left them hovering near the relegation zone. Both clubs are looking to reset their seasons ahead of the next round of fixtures.

Key facts

Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest's City Ground on 18 Oct 2026. (standard.co.uk)
Arsenal lost 3-0 to Brighton a month earlier. (standard.co.uk)
Piero Hincapié suffers a fresh injury ahead of the match. (standard.co.uk)
Morgan Gibbs‑White faces a late fitness test after a muscle injury. (standard.co.uk)
Arsenal's expected starters include Saka, Havertz and Ødegaard. (standard.co.uk)