The clash between and on Saturday afternoon has been delayed due to a problem with the new e-ticketing system at The Emirates.
The match was due to start at 12.30pm and has been delayed till 1pm, at the earliest, as supporters are struggling to get into the stadium in north .
Reports suggested that over 30,000 fans were stuck outside the ground shortly before the match was due to kick-off, unable to get in due to issues with the ticket system.
Arsenal posted an update on shortly before the scheduled kick-off time, which read: ‘This afternoon’s game with will now kick off at 1pm (UK), due to a delay at the turnstiles.’
From the start of the new season, entry into The Emirates is only by their new digital pass system, but clearly it is not up to scratch just yet.
Forest manager Steve Cooper spoke ahead of the game about a seriously tough start to the season for his side, telling TNT Sport: ‘We’re excited. There’s a real focus now to kick-off time and we have to be really focused, you don’t get any tougher away games than today. We’ve got to deliver, commit to the plan. We have to back ourselves – it starts with that and it ends with that.’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta sprung a surprise with his team selection to open the season, making one change from the team which won the Community Shield, replacing centre-back Gabriel with striker Eddie Nketiah.
‘It is every game demands different things and Eddie [Nketiah] didn’t play last game and has done really well in pre-season and he deserves to play,’ said Arteta.
‘He has been really good and always been a threat. Every game needs different qualities. This is how we start the game and we will probably finish in a very different way.’
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