Ange Back In North London

The Emirates plays host to Arsenal against Nottingham Forest today, and the clash has more intrigue than usual thanks to the appointment of Forest’s new manager, Ange Postecoglou.

Only days ago, Forest dismissed Nuno Espírito Santo after a stuttering start, and the board moved swiftly to bring in Postecoglou, who arrives with pedigree from his successful, if turbulent, spell at Spurs. That narrative alone adds spice: a former Tottenham boss leading Arsenal’s opposition in his very first match in charge, renewing old rivalries from north London but in very different colours.

Postecoglou is known for his attacking philosophy — high pressing, quick transitions, and fearless commitment to taking the game to the opposition. The problem for Forest is that his style takes time to bed in. Players must adapt to both the intensity and the positional demands, and until that cohesion arrives, defensive frailties are almost inevitable. Already Forest are weakened at the back with Ola Aina sidelined long term, and it’s hard to see them shutting Arsenal out while still learning their manager’s system.

Arsenal, meanwhile, come into this fixture with more continuity and stability. Mikel Arteta’s side boast an excellent home record against Forest, and the gulf in resources is obvious. The Gunners do have a significant absence in Bukayo Saka, who misses out through injury, but defensive reinforcements are expected to return with William Saliba likely to feature.

Arsenal’s dominance in possession, their strength from set pieces, and their ability to break down sides in transition suggest they will carry plenty of threat even without their star winger.

History also favours Arsenal heavily. Forest rarely get joy at the Emirates, and models such as Opta’s give Arsenal a strong chance of taking all three points. However, while Arsenal are firm favourites in the betting markets, odds on a straight home win are prohibitively short, leaving punters searching for value elsewhere. Forest are long outsiders, understandably so, and while the draw is priced more generously, it is difficult to see Arsenal failing to win given the contrast in form and stability.

From a betting perspective, the more interesting angles lie in combining outcomes. Arsenal should win, but they are also likely to be involved in a game with goals. Postecoglou’s Forest are not going to sit back; even if they falter defensively, they may still fashion chances of their own through counters or set pieces. That makes the combination of an Arsenal win with over 2.5 total goals a particularly attractive option. It boosts the odds compared with a plain Arsenal victory while still aligning with how this match is likely to unfold: Arsenal pressing their superiority and Forest leaving gaps as they try to play bravely under new management.

There are other speculative plays that appeal to risk-takers. A handicap bet on Arsenal to win by at least two goals offers bigger payouts, as does the half-time/full-time market where a cagey first period could lead to a draw at the break before Arsenal’s quality eventually tells. Both teams to score also carries logic if Forest manage to capitalise on Arsenal’s occasional lapses when over-committing in attack. But for a balance of risk and reward, the standout value bet is Arsenal to win with over 2.5 goals in the game. Best Price is 2.5 with Betfair on the Exchange and available at Evens with many more firms - recommended bet is 3 points

It acknowledges Arsenal’s superiority while recognising that Forest’s bold new manager may contribute to an open and entertaining encounter, even if he cannot yet secure the result he would most relish against his old north London rivals. 18+ Always Bet Responsibly