The starting lineups are out for today’s big Premier League game. Nottingham Forest takes on Arsenal at the City Ground on January 17, 2026. This match feels extra important for Arsenal after a key development earlier.
The Gunners got a big chance. Earlier today, Manchester City lost 2-0 to Manchester United. That puts Arsenal in a prime spot to stretch their lead at the top of the table. Manchester United’s win over City, apparently Michael Carrick’s first game in charge, shifted the title dynamics.
Title Race Takes a Turn
Arsenal sits second with 49 points from 21 matches. City has 43 points, also from 21 games. Aston Villa also has 43 points. A win here means Arsenal goes nine points clear. That’s a significant gap to open up at this stage of the season, a real opportunity. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, spoke about it yesterday.
“Forest are tough at home—we respect their fight, but we need three points to stay top,” Arteta said, according to ESPN previews.
He’s right. Forest won’t make it easy. And Arsenal needs to capitalize on City’s unexpected loss. This is the kind of pressure moment you see in title fights. The league standings show Arsenal dominating with 15 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses. Their goal difference is +26. They’re favorites for a reason, betting lines have them at -0.5.
Forest Fights for Survival
Nottingham Forest, they’re in a different battle. They’re 15th in the league, 21 points from 21 games. Not too far from the relegation spots. West Ham has 14 points, Burnley has 13. Forest’s record is 6 wins, 3 draws, and 12 losses, with a -13 goal difference. They need every point.
Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest’s coach, knows the stakes. He’s trying to use the City Ground atmosphere to their advantage. “Arsenal are favorites, but City Ground is special. Gibbs-White and Gyökeres can hurt anyone,” he noted in an ESPN analysis. Forest’s home form has been strong.
Morgan Gibbs-White, their midfielder, has 5 goals in 21 matches this season. Forward Viktor Gyökeres also has 5 goals, from 19 games. Callum Hudson-Odoi has 3 goals in 19 appearances. Defender Nicolas Savona scored twice too, which is not bad for a defender in 14 matches. They do have attacking threats, even if they’re mid-table.
Lineups Are In
The official team sheets dropped around 1 PM UTC, an hour before kickoff. Clubs put them out on social media. ESPN confirmed the lineups too. Forest is in red, Arsenal in away white. No big surprises on the injury front, it seems, beyond routine absences.
For Forest, you’ll see Gibbs-White (number 10), Hudson-Odoi (7), and Savona (37) starting. E. Anderson (8), O. Hutchinson (21), and I. Sangaré (13) are in midfield, all with a couple of assists this year. They’re looking for pace on the counter and midfield steel.
Arsenal’s lineup features Leandro Trossard (19) and Declan Rice (41) as key starters. Trossard has 5 goals and 4 assists from 17 matches. Rice has 4 goals and 3 assists in 20. Arsenal’s attacking depth is apparent in these selections, especially with a congested schedule and Champions League ties ahead.
Early Match Status
The game is underway now, it kicked off at 2 PM GMT (3 PM UTC). As of 4 PM UTC, the score isn’t in yet. No goals, red cards, or injuries confirmed so far. Arsenal controls possession early. Trossard and Rice are trying to set the tempo from midfield. Forest’s plan looks like hitting on the break with Hudson-Odoi and Gyökeres.
This match isn’t just about the three points for either side. For Arsenal, it’s about seizing a huge chance in the title race, solidifying their position after City’s slip. For Forest, it’s about a vital victory to move clear of the drop zone, mirroring their past home resilience. The City Ground, with its 30,000 capacity, will be loud.
Govind Singh 
Annsly Raena 
Baishali Karmakar