Chris Sutton and Peter Hooton’s Predictions for Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest

Chris Sutton is providing predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, collaborating with various guests. For the twelfth week, he is joined by Peter Hooton, a singer from the band The Farm and a Liverpool supporter. The Farm’s latest single, “Forever & Ever,” is currently available, and their new album, “Let The Music (Take Control),” is scheduled for release in May 2025. Sutton’s prediction for the match is 2-0. He expressed concern about Arsenal continuing to drop points and would be “a little worried about them if Declan Rice is not fit enough to feature here.” However, he noted that “Martin Odegaard is coming back to full fitness after his injury, and I feel like he will be the difference.” Sutton emphasized Odegaard’s importance, stating, “Sometimes it is only when a player is missing that you realise how important they are to a side, and that has definitely been the case with Odegaard, because Arsenal have not been the same without him in the final third.” He further described Odegaard as “their one player who is on a different level when he is on the ball, and almost plays a different game. He has that incredible awareness and understanding that allows him to knit everything together, and Arsenal will need that against Nottingham Forest.” Sutton acknowledged that “Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will be stubborn and difficult to break down, we know that. They have already beaten Liverpool at Anfield this season,” but concluded, “I think Arsenal will find a way to win.” Hooton’s prediction is a 2-2 draw. He stated that the game “is a must-win for Arsenal because they are already off the pace.” Hooton commented on Mikel Arteta’s changing reputation, noting he “went from everyone wanting him gone a few years ago, to being one of the greatest things since sliced bread, but now the pressure is back on him.” He believes Arsenal “have got to win but they are at home and they are a different proposition there so I think they will do it, as long as the crowd don’t get too anxious if Forest frustrate them at first.” Hooton also warned against underestimating Forest, observing, “There is a bit of complacency when teams play Forest because they think they are a bottom-of the-table side, but they are fifth at the moment for a reason. They have surprised a lot of people this season – including us.”