Ivory Coast internationals Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangaré are out of Sunday’s visit of Arsenal to the City Ground, according to VietNamNet. Nottingham Forest, who have still not scored at home this season, will have to do without them.
Nottingham Forest host Arsenal on Sunday at 16:30 local time at the City Ground, on matchday 7 of the Premier League. The game closes Sunday’s programme, and the Tricky Trees will have to make do without two Ivorians. According to VietNamNet’s sports desk, centre-back Willy Boly (35) and midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré are both out injured.
Brazilian midfielder Danilo is also unavailable, the same source adds. Nigerian international full-back Ola Aina, however, is available and named in Forest’s defensive flank. At the other end, Arsenal will have to do without William Saliba, absent from defence through injury.
A defence and a midfield missing regulars
The centre-back has made 126 appearances and scored 7 goals in the Premier League over the course of his English career, according to official Premier League data. His absence therefore deprives Forest of a defender with plenty of experience of the division.
Sangaré’s withdrawal hits the midfield. With Danilo also unavailable, Forest’s engine room is left without two of its midfielders.
A City Ground still silent
The context offers little reassurance for Nottingham: according to The Guardian, the club have still not scored a single goal at home this season, after three matches played at the City Ground.
Arsenal arrive in 2nd place with 15 points, from five wins and one defeat, three points behind Manchester City, Lao Dong reports. The Gunners come off a convincing 3-0 win over Lille in the Champions League in midweek, their 9th victory in 10 competitive matches.
The record is less flattering for the Londoners: according to The Guardian, Arsenal have won only two of their last seven away trips to the City Ground, with the last two meetings ending 0-0.
A busy schedule on both sides
This clash is the Sunday closing fixture of matchday 7, before Tottenham – Coventry on Monday, according to VietNamNet. Arsenal then return to the Champions League in midweek, while Forest play matchday 8 of the Premier League.