Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Saturday as Mikel Arteta’s injury-hit Gunners proved they have extreme strength in-depth.
WATCH — Full match replay
Martin Zubimendi smashed home a stunner to break the deadlock, although the victory was soured by yet another injury as Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard went off with what looked like a shoulder injury.
Early in the second half Viktor Gyokeres made it 2-0 as Ange Postecoglou looked on in disbelief as he got off to a poor start as the new Forest manager.
MORE — Mikel Arteta reaction
Late on Zubimendi made it 3-0 as he scored his second of the game to seal a comfortable victory and make it nine points from a possible 12 so far for the Gunners. Forest have four points from four games.
New signings show Arsenal now have clinchers
They were very comfortable throughout this win but at 1-0 up, Arsenal did give some of the control of this game back to Forest before half time. Last season Mikel Arteta’s side may have not found the crucial second goal to knock the stuffing out of their opponents but their two new marquee signings combined early in the second half to put the result beyond doubt. Eze latched onto one Forest mistake and crossed perfectly for Gyokeres to tap home to make it 2-0 and that was that. Another new signing Noni Madueke was excellent throughout and was a constant threat. Another new signing, Martin Zubimendi, scored twice for the first time in his career to underline his brilliant start to life in the Premier League. Another new signing Cristhian Mosquera didn’t put a foot wrong as he started in place of the injured William Saliba. With Odegaard going off injured to join Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Saliba on the sidelines, Arsenal’s squad depth is now pretty incredible and all five of their main new signings stepped up when they were needed. Last season Arsenal may well have drawn this game and dropped two valuable points. This Arsenal feels different. And deeper.
What’s next?
Arsenal head to Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, then host Manchester City next Sunday, September 21 in a huge game. Forest are in League Cup action against Swansea City in midweek, then head to Burnley next Saturday.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest score: 3-0
Zubimendi 32', 79’ Gyokeres 46’
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Zubimendi heads home his second!
He’s got another one! Trossard is off the bench and he clips in a delightful cross which Zubimendi heads on goal. It takes a flick off the Forest defender and goes in. Game. Set. Match. This is the first time Zubimendi has ever scored twice in the same game in his entire career. Wow.
Rice is on and almost makes it 3-0
Timber whips it across but it’s just too quick for Rice who is sliding in to finish.
Gyokeres smashes the post!
Great move from Arsenal and Gyokeres cuts in from the left, then overlaps and is played in. It’s a tight angle but he smashes the post. The Swedish striker is feeling it.
Wood hits the bar!
The ball flies off Wood’s chest bizarrely and hits the crossbar. Raya got a touch on it. What a save!
Gyokeres makes it 2-0!
After a mistake in Forest’s shape at the back, Eze is in down the left and his cross is spot on for Gyokeres to slot home. Perfect start to the second half for Arsenal. Ange is not happy.
Half time: Arsenal 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Zubimendi’s superb volley is the difference at the break and Arsenal are deservedly ahead. Forest have grown into the game though and Arsenal really need to get a second goal early in the second half to ease any nerves and fears that they will draw a game they should win and replicate plenty of games from last season.
Good chance for Forest!
They have improved after Arsenal’s goal and Forest almost equalize. Gibbs-White plays a great one-two with Wood who puts it on a plate for him but MGW is under a bit of pressure and slots wide. Ange Postecoglou has his hands on his head. He knows that was a big chance to make it 1-1 just before half time.
Murillo off injured
Forest’s star Brazilian defender Murillo has been struggling for a while after he made that big challenge and he can’t continue. Nicolo Savona is on in his place and Forest have shuffled things around with Williams at left back, Morato at center back and Savona coming on at right back.
Zubimendi smashes home from the edge of the box!
A corner is whipped in and Forest clear but Martin Zubimendi smashes a brilliant volley on goal from the edge of the box and it takes a slight flick and goes in. Wonderful technique! Arsenal deservedly lead.
Madueke whipping in dangerous corners galore, and Murillo makes a great challenge
Arsenal are getting closer and closer with these corners. Madueke is clipping them in right to the near post and it’s causing chaos. Forest are hanging on and Sels is doing really well to claw the ball away on multiple occasions. Madueke has just surged into the box and tees up Timber but Murillo makes a brilliant challenge to deny Arsenal a certain goal.
Odegaard forced off with an injury — More details here
Oh no, this is not good. Martin Odegaard landed awkwardly and is clutching his right shoulder. He has just recovered from a similar issue he suffered against Leeds. The Norwegian tried to carry on but couldn’t and Ethan Nwaneri is on for him. Another injury blow early in the season for Arsenal, who are already missing Saka, Havertz and Saliba. Odegaard’s issue now makes it four huge players missing. Mikel Arteta looks concerned.
Merino denied by Sels superbly!
A free kick comes in and Merino looks certain to score, but Sels makes a superb stop from close range. Brilliant from Sels. Big chance wasted for Arsenal.
Excitement around Eze, Madueke, Gyokeres
My word, this is going to be exciting. Of course, Bukayo Saka is out injured and is the star attacker, but the three who start today are going to be brilliant to watch.
Arsenal lineup
Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze
Nottingham Forest lineup
Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato; Anderson, Sangare; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Arsenal team news, focus
OUT: Bukayo Saka (hamstring - MORE), Kai Havertz (knee - MORE), Gabriel Jesus (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: William Saliba (ankle - MORE), Christian Norgaard (undislosed)
Nottingham Forest team news, focus
OUT: Nicolas Dominguez (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (loan - parent club) | QUESTIONABLE: Ola Aina (undisclosed)
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest preview
Forest went 1-1-1 in August and are readying for a Europa League campaign with a new boss and a raft of transfers.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are bidding to bounce back from their first loss of the season, a 1-0 setback at Liverpool that was anything but back-and-forth.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are aiming to win every trophy on offer, and certainly that means minimal losses at home.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest prediction
Is a new manager bounce likely when the coaching change is not due to player unrest or poor results? Forest also have a load of new players, and there’s really no reason to think Forest’s switch is going to be pay immediate gains or subtract anything major, either. The Tricky Trees have enough to challenge Arsenal, who are without some key pieces — Saka, Havertz, and possibly William Saliba. The Gunners are still heavy favorites here. Arsenal 1-2 Nottingham Forest.
How to watch Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday
Venue: Emirates Stadium — London
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
