During this summer’s transfer window, third-placed Premier League side Arsenal invested heavily to strengthen their squad, second only to Liverpool, making them one of the top spenders in Europe. Among the signings, forward Jokere has drawn the most attention.
Having performed impressively in last season’s Portuguese Primeira Liga, Jokere’s adaptation to the Premier League has been uncertain. His transfer process faced multiple obstacles from Sporting CP, and in an interview, he claimed that he is on the same level as Haaland and Kane.
If his words match his performance, Arsenal could realistically challenge for this season’s Premier League title—even with defending champions Liverpool having players like Isak. However, Isak clearly does not match the caliber of European Golden Boot winners such as Haaland or Kane.
Looking at the first three rounds of the new Premier League season, Jokere’s performance has fallen short of expectations. Compared to predecessors like Félix and Núñez, he appears slightly weaker. While he has been a regular starter and scored twice in Arsenal’s 5-0 home victory over Leeds, he failed to make an impact in the two tough away matches against Manchester United and Liverpool.
The 1-0 away loss to Liverpool could be said to directly influence the season’s trajectory—not due to the result itself, but because it tests the team’s ability to compete against strong opponents.
After a short break and the return of players from international duty, will Arsenal improve? They will host Nottingham Forest, a historically strong club that has performed well in recent years and invested in the transfer market. The outcome of this match remains uncertain.
Nottingham Forest, historically two-time European Cup winners and once English top-flight champions, began last season strongly, occupying top positions in the Premier League and becoming a surprise contender. They ultimately finished seventh, missing out on the Champions League—not due to lack of ability, but due to “strategic errors” in the final five rounds, securing only one win, two draws, and two losses, showing insufficient winning mentality.
Even if they had qualified for the Champions League, they would have been relegated to the Europa League. Crystal Palace’s FA Cup victory, earning Europa League qualification and eventually reaching the UEFA playoff, demonstrates this point.
The start of the new season has been decent: two wins and one loss in the first three matches, with the only defeat being away to defending champions Liverpool. Even in adversity, Forest did not falter, and Liverpool’s winning goal involved some luck.
Aside from Jokere needing to improve against top teams, Arsenal also face headaches due to injuries. The squad currently lists several injured key players, including Jesus, Saka, Havertz, Ben White, Nél, and Ødegaard.
If attacking midfielder Havertz is fit, the situation would improve significantly, allowing rotation with Jokere or even playing both simultaneously.
In the last ten meetings between the two sides, Arsenal lead with six wins, one draw, and three losses. Playing at home, Arsenal clearly have the advantage for this match.
