You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Aston Villa" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Wolves", for instance.
Arsenal v Nottingham Forest: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:23 BST 12 September
19:23 BST 12 September
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou takes charge of his first game as Nottingham Forest head coach, returning to north London to face Arsenal. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes before Saturday's match.
Arsenal paid out approximately £250m on transfers this summer, taking their overall spending under Mikel Arteta to nearly £930m. When a handful of minor sales are accounted for, their net spend in the most recent window was £240m, the highest figure in the top flight, with Liverpool (£222m) the only other club to break the £200m mark.
Those numbers will bring even more scrutiny and pressure on the Gunners, who have not won the league since 2004 and have gone five years since lifting the FA Cup, their only major trophy under Arteta.
Defeat at Anfield last time out was certainly not a terminal blow to their title ambitions, but registering just a single shot on target highlighted a familiar failing. Arteta's side scored 69 Premier League goals last term, 22 fewer than in 2023-24, with the number of shots also falling by 111. That drop-off in attacking threat ultimately prevented them from running eventual champions Liverpool close.
It is well documented how crucial set-pieces are to Arsenal, and four of the Gunners' six goals this term have come in that manner. But aside from restarts, the Londoners have struggled to break down opponents, with their expected goals figure from open play just 1.54, the second lowest in the league.
Three games – including tricky away trips to Manchester United and Liverpool – obviously represents a small sample size. Arteta will still be confident that when new arrivals - such as Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres - are fully up to speed, Arsenal's attack will click.
Postecoglou's swift return
Nottingham Forest also have a host of summer signings to integrate, having spent approximately £190m on 13 new players, but all eyes on Saturday will be on the man in the visitors' dugout. Postecoglou was named as Forest head coach on Tuesday, just 95 days after being sacked by Spurs.
The Australian didn't win a north London derby as Tottenham boss but guiding Forest to their first victory on Arsenal turf since 1989 would be the perfect way to win over any sceptical supporters who doubt the wisdom of dismissing Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Portuguese left the City Ground following a deteriorating relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis and tension with Edu, the club's recently appointed global head of football. But Nuno's legacy mean he is unlikely to be out of work long – he took Forest into Europe for the first time in 30 years and leaves with the highest Premier League win percentage of any manager in the club's history.
Sutton's predictions: Arsenal v Nottingham Forestpublished at 18:22 BST 12 September
18:22 BST 12 September
I am not expecting an extreme change from Nottingham Forest in Ange Postecoglou's first game in charge.
Sure, he will tweak things, and he has got his principles where he likes to play attacking football, but I can't imagine him going in with a high defensive line in his first game, especially against Arsenal.
A return to north London is pretty much as tough a start as he could get, even though Arsenal have a few injuries with Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Kai Havertz ruled out.
There is so much talent in the Arsenal squad now that they are still so dangerous - Noni Madueke was excellent for England against Serbia, and he will be full of confidence after that display.
This might be another game where Arsenal have to grind a result out, but they will find a way of winning it.
Arteta on Saka's fitness, Raya's record and Hincapiepublished at 14:30 BST 12 September
14:30 BST 12 September
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest (kick-off 12:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Bukayo Saka "is still out," while a "decision" will be made on William Saliba after he trained on Friday.
Arteta confirmed there are no injury concerns post-international break and Ben White has also trained and "is OK."
Deadline day signing Piero Hincapie "is ready to go" and likely to feature against Forest. Arteta added: "He has trained two days with us and he had a very successful time for Argentina."
On the defender: "He is a player we have wanted for a few years. With the departure of Jakub Kiwior as well, we needed another player in that position."
Arteta said it is hard to predict how Forest will play under new manager Ange Postecoglou but uncertainty and changing styles is "what we prepare for every single day".
On the break coming straight after the Liverpool defeat: "After a defeat you want to have a game in the next three days to get it out of your system. But at the same time, I look at the international players and see how they have grown in terms of the impact they have had."
David Raya's 41 clean sheets in 99 appearances "is the best in the history of the football club" with Arteta then joking he "was hammered" by people when he brought Raya in.
He said "work never stops" around contract negotiations with Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, but "the good thing is that the players want to remain here and want to be a big part of the future".
On Kai Havertz: "Kai is looking really good. He is walking freely and starting to do some bits. It was a very tough decision for him to go and have the surgery. But it was the right one. I cannot say a timeframe."
'Forest starts a tough month of fixtures for Gunners'published at 10:49 BST 12 September
10:49 BST 12 September
Alex Howell Arsenal reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal's match on Saturday against Nottingham Forest is the start of a tough month of fixtures for the Gunners.
In September they face Forest, Athletic Bilbao, Manchester City and Newcastle in the Champions League and Premier League.
They also travel to League One Port Vale in the Carabao Cup third round.
This tough run is exactly why Mikel Arteta and Arsenal decided to strengthen their squad so much in the transfer window.
This week will also be the first time Arteta has all of his players together after the window has shut, and Piero Hincapie will meet the rest of his team-mates after signing on deadline day.
Arteta is due to speak to the media before the Forest game at 13:30 BST. Come back to this page later for all the key lines from the Arsenal boss.
Gossip: Gunners offer Saliba five-year extensionpublished at 07:45 BST 12 September
07:45 BST 12 September
Arsenal have offered France defender William Saliba a five-year contract extension as talks continue with the 24-year-old, whose current deal runs out in 2027. Real Madrid are monitoring the centre-back's situation. (FootMercato - in French), external
Gossip: Saka and Saliba contracts extensions edge closerpublished at 07:27 BST 11 September
07:27 BST 11 September
Arsenal are advancing in talks to extend the deals of England winger Bukayo Saka and France centre-back William Saliba, with the pair, both 24, out of contract at the end of the 2026-27 season. (Teamtalk), external
Meanwhile, Hamburg have an option to turn 25-year-old Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira's loan move from Arsenal into a permanent switch for €20m (£17.3m). (Bild, via Goal), external
How can Martinelli silence his critics?published at 14:27 BST 10 September
14:27 BST 10 September
Alex Howell Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Gabriel Martinelli is a hardworking player who cares deeply about succeeding at Arsenal. He is aware of the social media criticism of his performances and the discussion about his place in the team.
That would be hard for any player to deal with and while that scrutiny is part of the ups and downs of a professional football career, it does not lend itself to players creating off-the-cuff moments that can win matches.
He scored 10 goals in 51 games and registered six assists in all competitions last season, which is a solid return, but maybe not one of a top winger at a team competing for the title and going deep in the Champions League.
One of Martinelli's best moments did come in the Champions League when he scored the winning goal at the Bernabeu in the second leg, after Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg to ensure their place in the semi-final.
The change in Arsenal's style could also be one of the reasons for Martinelli's downturn in form.
During his best season in 2022-23, Martinelli scored 15 goals in all competitions and registered six assists.
Arsenal were a lot more open during that time and the attacks allowed them to develop more naturally.
Since then, Arteta has changed tack, now playing with more control and are more considered in their build-up. That does not necessarily suit Martinelli, who thrives with open spaces to run in to.
During the last campaign, the Gunners were decimated by injury to attacking players and Martinelli had his own fitness issues.
This season Arteta has again changed his side's style, being more direct and transitional in the hope of getting the best from £64m Victor Gyokeres.
That change may well benefit Martinelli, who is one of the quickest players in the Premier League. Balls in behind opposition defences may give him the chance to get through on goal quicker.
Rice assist numbers continue to growpublished at 10:41 BST 10 September
10:41 BST 10 September
Declan Rice's creative streak shows no signs of slowing down.
After going 55 England caps without registering an assist, the Arsenal midfielder has now set up six goals in his past 13 international appearances, including two in Tuesday's win over Serbia.
It mirrors his growing influence at club level. Rice has laid on one assist in the opening three Premier League fixtures this season, and has set up 22 goals in Arsenal colours.
Rice is now becoming a consistent creative outlet, for club and country.
Gossip: Arsenal consider exits for Jesus and Trossardpublished at 07:23 BST 10 September
07:23 BST 10 September
Arsenal will consider the sales of Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus, 28, and Belgium forward Leandro Trossard, 30, in the January transfer window. (Football Insider), external
Meanwhile, Manchester United have set their sights on signing Belgium centre-back Zeno Debast, 21, in January from manager Ruben Amorim's former club Sporting but Arsenal and Aston Villa are among the other sides interested. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
'Merino could play with Gyokeres in a 4-2-3-1' - but is Arteta 'too defence-orientated'?published at 14:59 BST 9 September
14:59 BST 9 September
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on whether Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta should consider playing midfielder Mikel Merino up front alongside Viktor Gyokeres to "unlock opposition defences" this season.
Carlos: It won't happen. Arteta is wedded to a 4-3-3, which means one central striker and that has to be Gyokeres. My view is that Gyokeres' signing, just as would have been the case with Benjamin Sesko, is a huge shot in the dark. Arteta will do everything to make it work, so there will be no Merino up front other than in the Carabao Cup match against Port Vale.
Paul: Arteta is too defence-orientated to make a change like that.
David: I suggested putting Merino up front for the Liverpool game and having Ethan Nwaneri with Gabriel and Noni Madueke. I understand that means leaving attackers on the bench, but it's solid. Merino can help more defensively and in midfield, plus he can make his runs and confuse defenders. Then you have amazing firepower to bring on. This only works against the best teams and would make us more unpredictable, but is also super solid. I feel I'm the only one thinking this though...
Kitt: A 4-2-3-1 could work. Merino would play behind Gyokeres with Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka on the wings.
Clinical and an aerial threat - why Merino is an attacking optionpublished at 12:33 BST 9 September
12:33 BST 9 September
Joe Bradshaw BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Mikel Merino has seven Premier League goals for Arsenal.
Most were scored in that scarcely believable period where the Gunners were searching for anyone to fill the void in attack in the second half of last season and contributed to 14 points in their attempts to win the title.
His total is clearly not a huge amount, but earlier on Tuesday, our fan writer Laura Kirk-Francis suggested the Spain midfielder could make an impact for Mikel Arteta's occasionally shot-shy side.
After all, he is fresh off scoring four goals on international duty including a first career hat-trick against Turkey.
Digging into some numbers, there is some juice to her argument.
Taking shot conversion rate as a metric in isolation, Merino ranks fourth for Arsenal across the past 10 seasons.
It is all the more impressive considering the identities of the three goalscorers above him.
Of all the players who have more than five Premier League goals for the club in that time, he has taken the fewest shots, offering up the smallest sample size but also indicating how clinical he is.
The variety of his goals is also noteworthy. Two with his left foot, one with his right and four with his head.
Only three players have more headed goals for Arsenal in that time period – and the Spaniard has been in the building for just a year.
Laura argued that fielding Merino at number six against Liverpool nullified his attacking threat. The heatmap below supports this - he did not even touch the ball in the opposition penalty area.
Image source, Opta
Somehow, when Merino is on the field, Arteta needs to find a way to get him into areas where his eye for goal, and particularly his heading ability, can cause problems for the opponent.
Clearly that does not mean replacing Viktor Gyokeres, whose £64m presence cements his place in Arsenal's starting XI.
But here is a midfielder with an obvious goalscoring threat and sticking him in the centre of the park likely clips his wings.
Whether Arteta is willing to let Merino fly could make a significant difference this season.
Lewis-Skelly left out of England's squad for Serbiapublished at 12:30 BST 9 September
12:30 BST 9 September
Alex Howell Arsenal reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been left of the England squad to play Serbia in the World Cup qualifier in Belgrade.
Thomas Tuchel confirmed to the media at his pre-match press conference that all his players were available and the versatile Arsenal player has been left out.
There had been concerns about the fitness of centre-back Marc Guehi, who was withdrawn with a groin issue in the win over Andorra, but Tuchel confirmed he was fit to play.
England can name 23 players in the matchday squad under Uefa rules, with centre-back Jarell Quansah left out of the pool for the game with Andorra.
Lewis-Skelly trained on Monday at St George's Park with the rest of the England squad and travelled to Serbia.
The omission of the left-back means Lewis-Skelly will rest before Arsenal's match with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
He has started three of England's four World Cup qualifiers but Djed Spence or Tino Livramento are now likely to get the nod for at left back.
Elsewhere, fellow Arsenal full-back Ben White is hoping to be available for Saturday's match with Forest.
He started the opening-day win at Manchester United but missed the last two league games with a knock.
Would playing Merino help 'unlock opposition defences'?published at 08:19 BST 9 September
08:19 BST 9 September
Laura Kirk-Francis Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Not long after it was announced in January that Kai Havertz would have surgery on a torn hamstring, some Arsenal supporters suggested that midfielder Mikel Merino could play up front.
For the most part, this was met with surprise and confusion from fans more used to seeing him as a midfielder and unaware of his abilities as a striker.
Fast forward six months and the Spain international is playing himself into contention for the number nine position once more.
Merino scored a hat-trick in Spain's 6-0 dismantling of Turkey in their World Cup qualifier. With Havertz again out injured, could Merino deputise once more?
Arsenal face another tricky run of fixtures after the international break, with a Carabao Cup tie at League One Port Vale sandwiched between a visit from Manchester City and a trip to face Newcastle at St James' Park, where they have not won a game since the 2022-23 season.
So far this campaign, Arsenal have lacked a clinical and killer edge in the final third. Over in Spain, Mundo Deportivo, external actually called Merino a "killer". He scored three times from only four shots on target.
Mikel Arteta has long been wedded to a 4-3-3 formation, but perhaps playing Merino alongside Viktor Gyokeres could be a novel way to unlock opposition defence.
His performance for Spain comes a week after he started in midfield during the 1-0 loss to Liverpool, an Arsenal display condemned as overly conservative.
Merino has certainly made his case to be starting further up the pitch for Arsenal. We will find out on Saturday if Arteta agrees.
Gossip: Arsenal in strong position to sign Stillerpublished at 07:38 BST 9 September
07:38 BST 9 September
Arsenal are frontrunners to sign Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller, after a last-minute bid from Manchester United failed in the summer, but Bayern Munich and Real Madrid also are interested in the 24-year-old Germany international. (Express), external
Arsenal youngster Casey nears Palace movepublished at 16:40 BST 8 September
16:40 BST 8 September
Alex Howell Arsenal reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Arsenal's teenage midfielder Dan Casey is nearing a move to London rivals Crystal Palace.
The 18-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder, centre-forward or wide attacker, is set to join the Eagles' Under-21 setup.
Casey has been in the Arsenal academy since 2015 and scored 22 goals with one assist in the under-18s Premier League, according to stats on Transfermarkt.
Sources have told BBC Sport that a deal is close and that there will be a sell-on clause included.
'I am enjoying it as much as I can'published at 08:17 BST 8 September
08:17 BST 8 September
Image source, Getty Images
Eberechi Eze says his recent experiences in football have been "special" and he is "just excited to play".
The 27-year-old sealed a dream move to Arsenal in August - where he was released as a 13-year-old - after the Gunners wrestled him from the grasp of north London rivals Tottenham.
He made his debut as a late substitute against Liverpool at Anfield and started England's 2-0 victory over Andorra on Saturday.
"There's a lot going on," Eze said after the World Cup qualifying win at Villa Park. "It's fun for me. This is why I play football.
"These are opportunities you want. This is it for me. I was trying to enjoy it because you have that moment and then that's it - gone.
"I'm just excited to play, excited to do my thing on the pitch, to work hard, apply myself and get to doing what I do.
"There's been a lot of noise off the pitch but I just want to get down and play.
"It is special. It's not everyone that gets to experience these types of moments.
"I try to enjoy it and take it in my stride as much as possible because there's always something that is coming.
"There is always another opportunity and challenge coming so that's how I see [it]."
Despite the positives for Eze recently, England boss Thomas Tuchel was not totally impressed with his performance as the Three Lions laboured to victory over a team ranked 174th in the world.
"We missed some little moments to accelerate the game," Tuchel said.
"Maybe Eberechi Eze did not have his best day in the number 10 position. He trained so well but he struggled a bit with his decision-making."
'New dynamics' and 'change in style' - fans on Rice's start to seasonpublished at 17:57 BST 5 September
17:57 BST 5 September
Image source, Getty Images
After our fan writer suggested that Declan Rice has had a slow start to the season -and some stats seem to suggest this is the case - we asked for your thoughts.
Here are some of your comments:
Lara: Yes, I agree. I think it is all down to the changes in style for the team. It is affecting a few players and will take time to settle. But ultimately it had to happen, and in the long term, the team will benefit from having different tactics available for different opponents. The changes are bold, but if Mikel Arteta delivers, it will be great. It's a big if though. I am not sure he has the charisma to lead and guide such a strong squad to glory.
Daniel: Respectfully disagree. Three games in and he has been OK, which is not a crime. He typically starts the season slow but I think it is nothing to worry about.
Sakeb: I agree, but I think it stems from Arteta's desire to control and be controlled. Martin Zubimendi came with the reputation of being someone that is quick between the lines, always looking to play forward, but we've not seen that yet. I'm still hoping it's because he's still settling in and we've had a few challenging away games, but I fear Arteta has got his paws into him.
Kate: It's three games in.... way too early to tell if anyone's having a good or bad start. Those Real Madrid free-kicks were amazing, but not something that Rice does every single week. He's fine, or will be in a couple of games time, once things fully get going again.
Rachel: I think Rice's performance has been different to last season but it is due to the new dynamic in midfield with Zubimendi. We had to expect this settling-in period - Arsenal could not suddenly become a fantasy team just because we bought some of the best players. Personally, I was more disappointed in Zubimendi than Rice. But it looks like there's some tricky times to come. Frustrating!
Terry: Rice is not alone. He is not the only one who has to show the manager a different approach is needed in terms of tactics. The new signings will be very disappointed if things among the old regime do not improve. Gabriel Martinelli is a prime example - he is showing no signs of being a first-choice player.
Has Rice's performance dropped off?published at 16:01 BST 5 September
16:01 BST 5 September
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Opta
The standout performer in Mikel Arteta's side last season, Declan Rice looked every inch the £105m-man they had signed from West Ham in the summer of 2023.
But fast forward just a few months and the midfielder looks to be struggling to reach the same heights in the early part of this campaign.
This "quiet" and "difficult" start for Rice is not going unnoticed by fans, with our Gunners fan writer highlighting his underwhelming beginning to 2025-26.
But is this the case?
When looking into the statistics for the 26-year-old per 90 minutes last season in the Premier League compared to the opening three games of this term, there does appear to be a drop off in a number of metrics.
Sitting as part of a central midfield three, scoring goals is not he main requirement for Rice and, after scoring seven last time out, he has yet to find the back of the net this time.
However, he has still contributed in attack, providing two assists in the first three games and therefore tracking slightly ahead per game to what he did last season in this area.
Where his contribution has dropped off is when it comes to open play. Rice's four chances created so far have all come from set-plays. He is contributing less per game in terms of passes played into the box (5.1 compared to 6.3) and successful passes into the final third (6.5 compared to 16).
While he is still averaging similar numbers per game when it comes to passes overall and the accuracy of these, what might be more concerning for Arteta and supporters is the fall in numbers for defensive metrics.
The England international is tracking significantly lower in number of duels and in the success of those duels, while he is yet to even register a tackle made this campaign.
With the arrival of Martin Zubimendi in the summer, Rice is having to adapt to a new partner in midfield and may be still figuring out what his role is alongside the Spain international.
Comparing his heatmap against Manchester United in the opening game this season and the same match at Old Trafford last term, Rice covered much more ground across the pitch in March, and spent more time back in his starting position this time.
It is still too early to be drawing conclusions, but fans will be hoping that Rice is just warming up and this is not a longer term drop-off.
Has Rice endured a 'difficult start to the season'?published at 13:23 BST 5 September
13:23 BST 5 September
Laura Kirk-Francis Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
As Declan Rice stood over the ball in the 29th minute on Sunday, many fans will have been dreaming of a repeat of his two brilliant free-kicks against Real Madrid last season. Instead, a few seconds later the ball was flying high over the crossbar, much to the glee of the Liverpool fans behind the goal.
Having been named Arsenal's player of the season last year, the midfielder has endured a difficult start to the season.
In the 1-0 win at Old Trafford on the opening weekend, he struggled to impose himself on a Manchester United midfield that looked ready to be exploited. Instead, the decisive passing and ball-carrying for which he is known were limited, and more worryingly Arsenal's midfield were regularly by-passed as United countered.
Sunday's defeat was another quiet afternoon for the England midfielder, whose wayward free-kick in the first half summed up an underwhelming performance.
Usually so reliable from corners, he also struggled from set-pieces, failing to put the ball into the key areas where Arsenal could hurt Liverpool.
Before the new season, fans were excited to see a partnership between Rice and new signing Martin Zubimendi, but so far the chemistry between the two is only developing. After all, it was also the Spaniard who gave away the free-kick from which Dominik Szoboszlai scored the winner.
Rice's struggles this season do not suggest his ability is in decline, but rather they reflect growing pains in his new partnership with Zubimendi. However, given how reliant Arsenal were on him last year to progress the ball into the final third, fans will be anxious that he returns to his previous levels immediately once the international break is over.
Do you agree with Laura?
Has Rice been less effective so far this season?
If so, what's the reason - and what's the solution?
