The first national break of the season is finally over and we can all look forward to the return of league football. We Arsenal fans, along with Nottingham fans, will be looking forward first. The whole programme of the fourth round of the Premier League will open with the clash at the Emirates Stadium between Arsenal and Nottingham. To be more specific, the match will kick off this Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 13:30 (CET). Arsenal are the clear favourites for the match and will be looking to get back on a winning streak after their defeat at Anfield. Nottingham, who are experiencing an awkward start to the new season on and off the pitch, will go into the game in a very unusual situation. Why? Manager Nuno Espírito Santo was sacked during the national break and replaced on the bench by Ange Postecoglou, who spent the last two seasons at Tottenham. I'll get to all that in today's blog, but let's start in a nice order.
Form
At the moment they have behind them all teams in the Premier League three league matchesso we can start talking about their form. However, due to the national break, we are kind of going back to square 0 in this regard. A two-week break is a long time in the context of league football. It could happen that teams that were doing well before the break are now out of form and vice versa. But that doesn't stop us from took a look at Arsenal and Nottingham's league performances so far. Here we go.
Arsenal
From the most basic point of view. Arsenal have so far won six points from a possible nine. It is definitely not a dream start to the new year, but there are other aspects to take into account. One of the most important aspects are the opponents the Gunners had to face. Manchester United and Liverpool away, newcomer Leeds at home. I've mentioned Arsenal's tough draw a few times in the last few weeks, and I don't want to repeat myself, so I'll just add that it's up to the Mikel Arteta's in the next league matches battles against Manchester City and Newcastle. Where am I going with this? The main point is that it is no disgrace to lose at Anfield, points are hard to come by at Liverpool's famous stadium, and so it will now be more important for Arsenal to see how they handle the next few games, starting with the home clash with Nottingham.
So to avoid owing you the actual Arsenal match results, here they are. Arsenal won 1-0 at Manchester United in the first round, then at home to Leeds 5:0 and then fell to Liverpool 0:1. So overall Arsenal's performance is not bad. Two clean sheets, six goals scored and one goal conceded in three games are a good sign of the club. But the most important points are. As I wrote before, let's see how Arsenal will be able to collect them in the next games.
Injuries are a bigger problem than performance for Mikel Arteta. Although Arsenal have a much wider and better squad than in previous seasons, so injuries to key players are never good news. And there have been quite a few of them since the start of the season. Except long-term injured Gabriel Jesus have involuntarily joined the sick list Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and now also William Saliba. Minor problems have also knocked the game out of action Ben White, Martin Ødegaard or new reinforcements Christian Nørgaard, who has been missing from the squad in all league games so far due to health problems. However, all three of the latter should be fit by now.
Nottingham
Nottingham, thanks to their performances last year, have become one of the most pleasant surprises of the past season. A final seventh place finish and a ticket to Europe were worth their weight in gold to Nottingham after a previous season in which the club struggled to stay in the Premier League. This was despite the fact that Nottingham could have even qualified for the Champions League, which they ultimately narrowly failed to do. One of the main figures behind Nottingham's success, was Nuno Espírito Santo. I found his dismissal all the more incomprehensible. Yeah, we all signed up, disputes between the sporting director, who incidentally is Edu, and the Portuguese manager. However, removing a manager who has moved the team in such a way in one season just doesn't make sense to me. It's hard to know what the real reason was that Nuno Espírito Santo had to leave Nottingham. But the reality is that Ange Postecoglou will now be the new Nottingham manager.
Nottingham's results so far in the new season can be described as average. Mathematically, this is probably the most accurate designation (one win, one draw and one loss). From the results it can be said with almost 100% certainty that the change in manager did not come about because of poor results. As I wrote a few lines above, the reasons probably have to be found elsewhere. I would end the subject of the Nottingham manager there. I will now move on to individual results. Nottingham's start to the season has been good, in the first game won against Brentford 3:1. But then the results gradually went down. Followed by 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and then the surprising 0:3 home defeat to struggling West Ham this season.
Team and expected line-up
I've kind of touched on the Gunners' absences today, so I'd like to focus on the players who will be available for the Nottingham game. Let's take a look at the expected Arsenal line-up together.
David Raya
Despite the fact that there were those among various experts who blamed the Spanish goalkeeper for the goal conceded against Liverpool, Mikel Arteta definitely he has no reason to make any changes at the goalkeeper position. David Raya this year, he has given consistent and, above all, quality performances and will be among the three poles this time as well.
Jurriën Timber
Jurriën Timber is making a loud claim for the number one position on the right side of the defense. In the opening games of the season, however, his role was a bit easier because his biggest competitor at right wingback, Ben White, was missing due to a minor injury. But now the English defensive all-rounder should be available. Still, I'm of the opinion that the Dutch footballer will get priority on Saturday.
Cristhian Mosquera
One of the forced changes will come in at right guard. At Anfield, a newcomer in an Arsenal jersey has stepped in for the injured William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera. And it must be said that he did more than well. But now Mikel Arteta should have the more experienced Ben White is also availablewho can play in the centre of defence without any problems. So how will the Spanish manager decide? Personally, I'm inclined to think that we'll see Cristhian Mosquera again alongside Gabriel. Why change something that worked in the last game?
Now that I mention it. William Saliba, so I'll allow myself a little digression here, which I'm sure all Gunners fans will gladly forgive me. Arsenal have opened negotiations with the French stopper on a new five-year contract and even though the deal is still a long way off, all indications are that the two sides will have no problem agreeing on a contract extension.
Gabriel
In the absence of William Saliba, the role Gabriel on the field even more crucial. The stocky Brazilian centre back is usually one of the main pillars of the Gunners' defence and this will be doubly true on Saturday.
Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori was deservedly voted Arsenal Player of the Month for August (He even got nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month), so I'd be quite surprised if anyone other than an Italian national team player would jump in at left-back. His performances have been very consistent since the start of the season and In addition to his good defensive work, Calafiori is also a big part of his team's offensive effort. After three games played, he has one goal scored and two assists.
Martín Zubimendi
After three games played, there is probably no point in arguing whether Martín Zubimendi Mikel Arteta's first choice at the quarterback/defensive midfielder position. Three games, three times 90 minutes played. The Spanish international's qualities are undeniable, so there's not much to count on other than Zubimendi in the starting eleven.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice is another member of the Spanish manager's line-up, without whom it is hard to imagine the Gunners' strongest line-up. I dare say the English midfielder is one of the five (maybe three) most important players at Arsenal today. I guess that says it all. Mikel Merino, who could start in place of Declan Rice, may have had the most successful national team encounter of all Arsenal players (two games, four goals scored), but the Spanish manager probably won't play on that. I can only imagine Merino starting at Rice's expense if Arteta wants to save the England international for the upcoming Champions League game.
Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard He has been out since the Leeds game with a shoulder injury, but managed to start the last 20 minutes at Anfield in the last round of the Premier League. During the national break he even played in both games for the Norwegian national team, and so we can expect that he will not be missing in the Arsenal starting line-up. Apart from being fit, the Norwegian playmaker seems to be in very good shape. He scored one goal and two assists at the national team reunion.
Noni Madueke
Mikel Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Bukayo Saka will not start the game against Nottingham. The right wing spot is therefore "vacant". I would be very surprised if anyone other than Noni Madueke. The England international played a very decent game at Anfield and even had a good game during the national break. scored his first goal for England.
Eberechi Eze
There is a lot of competition on the left wing right now. Who will get the space from the first minute against Nottingham? Will it be Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard or Eberechi Eze? Personally, I think he should start Eberechi Eze and I believe Mikel Arteta will choose this option. It doesn't make much sense to me that a Spanish manager would bring in a player with his experience and qualities to sit on the bench.
Viktor Gyökeres
The Swedish striker, still criticised by many Viktor Gyökeres is currently the only natural choice to spearhead the offense. Even if he wasn't, I would still personally prefer him as the number one option. Why? Approach, mentality and quality in the ending. Once the player himself is 100% used to the Arsenal game and Mikel Arteta adapts certain aspects of the team's play to his ability, he's gonna score one goal after another. My personal tip is that he will score against Nottingham on Saturday.
Substitutes
We should also see a few changes among the substitutes. Some are due to new injuries, others are due to players returning from the sideline. In addition, there should be one complete newcomer, Piero Hincapié, who signed for Arsenal during the deadline day. There will be no change in the position of substitute goalkeeper, he will cover his compatriot's back Kepa Arrizabalaga. Field players should not be missing on the substitutes' bench Myles Lewis-Skelly, Piero Hincapié, Ben White, Christian Nørgaard, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli. If one of the mentioned players drops out of the nomination for any reason, his place among the substitutes will most likely be taken by a youngster Max Dowman.
About the opponent
About Nottingham itself and the current situation at the club, I have in the very beginning of the blog and also in the chapter devoted to its current form. So now I'll just focus on player cadrethat the new manager Ange Postecoglou has at his disposal.
Among the biggest supports of the team and the cornerstones of last year's success, we have to include several players. I have to start with the goalkeeper position, where the clear leader is Matz Sels. The golden glove he shared with Arsenal's David Raya is clear proof of that. In the defensive line, special mention should be made of the stopper duo Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic. The engine of the backup series was and still is Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White. From the offensive players I would like to highlight two names. The first is Callum Hudson-Odoi and the other, of course, is the shooter Chris Woodwho, despite his advanced football age, can score goals.
A new addition to the Nottingham squad that I can't forget is Omari Hutchinsonwho became Nottingham's most expensive signing ever when came from Ipswich for £37.5 million. Interestingly, the English youngster has worked in the youth categories in north London, so he will have special motivation. And while I'm on the subject of new faces in the Nottingham camp, it will be interesting to see the other reinforcement, which is James McAtee (Manchester City academy product).
Match
The clear favourite for Saturday's game at Emirates Stadium is the home sidewhich is confirmed by the odds of the bookmakers. And no wonder. Arsenal have a better, more experienced and wider squad than Nottingham. On top of all that, the Gunners will have home advantage. Everything seems to indicate that Mikel Arteta's charges should manage the fourth round match against Nottingham. To be clear, I'm not saying that Nottingham don't have quality, they certainly don't, but Arsenal are simply different in that regard. Plus, I think they're on the performance of the guest players will sign the appeal of Nuno Espírita Santawhose fate at the club I've already mentioned.
As for the game itself and the image of the game, I expect Arsenal to dominate the game. On the Gunners side we should see a higher percentage of ball possession, territorial superiority, more shot attempts, chances and hopefully goals scored. Nottingham, on the other hand, will threaten from fast breaks or standard situations. Putting it all together, I'm convinced that Arsenal take home game against Nottingham and get three points after 2-0 win.
Next match
After the national break, we will once again enjoy a good portion of club football, because the Champions League starts. And it is in the millionaire competition that Arsenal will play their next game. Specifically, Mikel Arteta's squad for their will head to Spain for the first game of the league part of the competitionwhere he's waiting duel with Athletic Bilbao. The Champions League match is already on the schedule Tuesday 16 September 2025 from 18:45 (CET).
See you next time, I'll look forward to it!
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Editor, administrator and editor of the True Gunner Diary website, but above all a devoted Arsenal fan. I started with sports articles at the Tipsport bookmaker, where I have published more than 100 blogs. If you want to know more about me, check out the section of the same name here on the site.