Arsenal go to the City Ground with a straightforward objective, win and keep pressure on Manchester City. There is nothing complicated about the equation. Mikel Arteta’s side have taken 15 points from 18 in the Premier League, they handled Lille 3-0 in midweek, and they look like a team with enough control to deal with opponents who are struggling for rhythm.

Nottingham Forest, by contrast, have opened the campaign in poor shape. Oliver Glasner has inherited a side short on confidence and short on goals. Back-to-back defeats, 1-0 at home to Coventry City and 3-1 away at Crystal Palace, have only sharpened the sense that this is a game arriving at an awkward time for them.

The kick-off is at 4.30pm BST on Sunday, October 18 at the City Ground. The main point, though, is less about scheduling and more about whether Forest can make this competitive for 90 minutes. Recent evidence says that will be difficult.

Arsenal look set to be closer to full strength, or as close as they have been for a while. Bukayo Saka came off the bench against Lille, scored, assisted, and reminded everyone how quickly he changes the game. He had been dealing with a minor illness issue, but all signs point to him starting here. That matters, because when Arsenal need incision, he usually provides it.

Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are also expected to return to the starting side. That gives Arsenal more technical security, more movement between the lines and more of a goal threat. Jurrien Timber scored in midweek, but his workload still needs managing after injury problems, so Ben White could come in at right-back.

There are still absentees. Christos Tzolis remains out with a hamstring injury, while Piero Hincapie is expected to miss a few weeks with an ankle problem. Martin Zubimendi had a minor issue and should be back in the matchday squad. William Saliba is still waiting for his first appearance of the season because of a back injury and is targeting a return after the November international break. Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke are competing for the left-sided role if needed.

Forest need help at both ends of the pitch. Nikola Milenkovic recovered from a hamstring injury over the international break, then suffered bone bruising in training before the loss at Palace. He faces a late fitness test and could replace Ola Aina in the back three if passed fit.

Igor Jesus remains unavailable with a calf injury, so Liam Delap is expected to lead the line again. Nicolo Savana is still out after knee surgery earlier this year. None of this would be ideal at any point in the season, but it becomes more of a problem against a team that tends to punish structural weakness.