Man City win again as Arsenal face Forest test to keep pace

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Manchester City have made it seven wins from seven in the Premier League after a 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town, moving six points clear at the top of the table ahead of Arsenal's trip to Nottingham Forest.

Phil Foden opened the scoring at the Etihad before Erling Haaland struck twice, but Ipswich were far from mere makeweights. Daizen Maeda pulled one back before half time, and Zian Flemming converted a late penalty to set up a nervy finish for City.

There was also a fitness scare for the league leaders after Haaland went straight down the tunnel at the final whistle. According to Reuters, several City players picked up knocks during the match, though manager Enzo Maresca played down concerns over his Norwegian striker afterwards.

Arsenal looking to cut the gap at the City Ground

Arsenal now have the chance to respond when they travel to Nottingham Forest this afternoon, a fixture that has proven tricky in recent seasons. The Gunners have failed to score in their last two visits to the City Ground, with both encounters finishing goalless.

Mikel Arteta's side head into the match off the back of a comeback win over Leeds United, showing the kind of resilience that will be needed again against a Forest side whose recent form has been inconsistent. Kai Havertz leads the line for Arsenal, as confirmed in the team news published ahead of kick off.

A win at the City Ground would cut City's advantage at the top to three points. That would hardly eliminate the gap at this early stage of the season, but it would prevent City from further extending their lead heading into the next international break.

Early days, but City setting the pace

Seven wins from seven is a strong start by any measure, and Ipswich's performance at the Etihad showed City are not entirely untouchable even while winning every match. Still, results are results, and Arsenal know that any slip up at Forest would hand City more breathing room at the summit.

October form rarely decides a title race, but consistency against sides lower in the table has often been the difference between genuine contenders and also rans in recent Premier League seasons. Arsenal's task this afternoon is straightforward in theory: avoid a third successive goalless trip to the City Ground and keep the pressure on City at the top.