- Follow @JimmyThePunt
Football tips: Arsenal v N Forest
1pt Kai Havertz to be carded at 10/1 (bet365)
I don't think Arsenal’s trophyless season was a complete disaster.
Yes, the capitulation on the home straight poses questions about the Gunners character but the foundations are in place to push on this campaign.
It also gave Mikel Arteta leverage to bolster his squad, something he has certainly done this summer.
Declan Rice, the marquee signing, joins Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber with David Raya expected in North London soon.
First up in the Premier League, Nottingham Forest, and the hosts are understandably heavy favourites.
What is the best bet?
As I write, the Premier League season commences in a matter of hours and I am hoping the rule changes will see plenty of cards as was the case in the football league.
With this in mind, KAI HAVERTZ TO BE CARDED is the play, some firms have him as short as 17/4 so the 10/1 with bet365 certainly appeals.
With a top flight cards per 90 average of 0.15, I would have taken 13/2 this Saturday.
Last campaign, only five players averaged more fouls per game then Havertz (1.7) and with the bookings threshold lowered, his cynical nature could prove costly on match day one.
BuildABet @ 30/1
- Arsenal to win
- Kai Havertz to be carded
- Brennan Johnson to carded
CLICK HERE to back with Sky Bet
You should take head-to-head statistics with a pinch of salt but the fact that ARSENAL have won the last two meetings with Forest at the Emirates by an aggregate score line of 10-0 is pretty damning.
In the top flight, only the Manchester clubs took more points on home soil last season than Arteta's side, with the Gunners only dropped two points against sides in the bottom half.
BRENNAN JOHNSON is another forward of a similar clinical ilk to Havertz, and he looks a decent shout to be joining the German in the book on Saturday. Johnson picked up six yellows last term.
Team news
Mikel Arteta confirmed in his press conference Friday that Jorginho and Oleksandr Zinchenko are back available for this fixture. Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus are the only absentees.
Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz all started at in the Community Shield final on Sunday and should do so again here.
Moussa Niakhate and Taiwo Awoniyi are injury doubts for Nottingham Forest's trip to the capital.
Brennan Johnson came off the bench against Frankfurt in pre-season and should start alongside Morgan Gibbs-White at the Emirates.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Nottingham Forest: Turner; Worrall, Boly, McKenna; Aurier, Yates, Danilo, Mangala, Aina; Gibbs-White, Johnson
Match facts
- Nottingham Forest's last away win against Arsenal was in March 1989, the Gunners have taken 19 points in the nine home games since.
- Forest have lost their opening game in each of the last four seasons.
- Victory for Forest on Saturday would be the first time they have won back-to-back games against Arsenal since 1978 during the heady days of Brian Clough. The Tricky’s Trees beat Arsenal 1-0 in their last league meeting.
- Taiwo Awoniyi scored in each of Forest’s last four Premier League games of last season but looks unlikely to start in North London.
Odds correct at 1515 BST (11/08/23)
More from Sporting Life
- Fixtures, results and live scores
- Expert xG analysis and features
- Transfer news and done deals
- Football and other sports tips
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.