Arsenal will put their Premier League title hopes on the line on Saturday as they entertain Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s men gear up for this potentially season-defining home encounter amid talks Real Madrid starlet Arda Guler could follow in the footsteps of Martin Odeegard.
According to Spanish news outlet Sport, the Gunners contemplate an audacious bid for the Turkish youngster, knowing he’s unhappy with his current situation at the Bernabeu.
However, there’s still time before the transfer window reopens for business.
Arsenal’s hopes of ending a two-year title drought in the Premier League could be long gone by then.
In fact, another failed attempt to take three points on Saturday would likely crash the London outfit out of the title conversations.
With table-topping Liverpool already a whopping eight points clear, the upcoming clash against Forest is a textbook definition of a must-win game.
Fans eager to catch all the action can watch football on TV to see if Arsenal can bounce back and secure a crucial triumph.
Troubles in paradise
After back-to-back runner-up finishes, Arsenal looked destined to make a long-awaited quantum leap this season.
However, an underwhelming four-game winless league streak has undermined the Gunners’ lofty ambitions.
Despite their recent fall from grace, Arteta’s men have reigned supreme at the Emirates, going unbeaten in their last eight league outings in North London (W6, D2).
Barring some heavily unexpected developments, they should make it nine in a row on Saturday, considering their formidable run of six victories across their last seven league meetings with Forest.
Surprise package
Not even the most optimistic Forest fans could’ve dreamt Nuno Espirito Santo’s charges would be level on points with Arsenal after 11 rounds this season.
But with the Tricky Trees hitting a purple patch, the City Ground faithful can dare to dream big, expecting their side to grace the continental stage for the first time since 1995/96.
A 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United last time out threw a spanner in the works, knocking them down from an impressive three-match winning streak in the Premier League.
Unfortunately, four consecutive away league losses at Arsenal suggest Forest could be in for another long afternoon.
