Report: Arsenal 3 – 0 Nottingham Forest (incl. goals)

Result: Arsenal 3 – 0 Nottingham Forest
Competition: Premier League
Date: 23 November 2024
Venue: Emirates Stadium

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Merino, Odegaard, Trossard, Saka, Jesus

Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Partey, Nwaneri, Rice, Martinelli, Havertz, Sterling

Arsenal looked fresh and motivated after the international break, dominating Nottingham Forest at home with a 3-0 win.

Bukayo Saka put Arsenal ahead with a rasping strike within 14 minutes. Despite controlling the first half, the home side had to wait until early into the second half to double their lead through a Thomas Partey goal.

Ethan Nwaneri, coming on as a sub, made it three with a well taken strike late into the game.

Pre-Match

It was a heavily rotated team that made the starting eleven against Forest. Timber shifted to right back as Calafiori returned to the side after a month out.

Jorginho got a surprise start in midfield, supporting Merino and the skipper ahead of him. The front line also saw changes with Saka fit again at right wing, with Jesus starting up front and Trossard coming in from the left.

First Half

Arsenal could have been two goals up within five minutes but their purposeful attacks were dampened by marginal offsides. The first was a scramble in the box and another, a Timber tap in from a Merino knockdown during the free kick routine. Unfortunately the Spainard was adjudged to have been a fraction offside in the build up.

The play from then on was a lot slower, deliverate and more structured with Jorginho pulling the strings from the base of midfield.

Without Havertz, the team reverted to a more intricate style of play with Jesus recapturing some of his form. It was a flurry of movement, chops and flicks which caught the eye in the first half, with Bukayo Saka looking dangerous with his attempts on goal.

It was on 14 minutes where Saka dealt a killer blow. Odegaard played Saka in to the inside right channel with a subtle flick. Our winger looked to have held on the ball too long, teasing and dribbling across towards the left before unleashing a drive into the far post. 1-0 Saka 

The rest of the half was a masterclass in possession and Arsenal looked irresistable with their touches and movement. Forest didn’t manage to land a blow but the Gunners would have feel aggrieved to not have turned all that possession into a second goal.

Second Half

Arteta switched Partey on for Jorginho at the start of the second half to protect the latter from a second booking.

The Ghanaian was responsible for quickening the pace though Forest also upped the tempo in search for an equaliser. The game looked more open, both ways, and the home side were in danger of allowing Forest back into the game.

Those fears were alleviated just 6 minutes in when the sub, Partey, made his mark with a rasping shot from outside the box that nestled into the net. 2-0 Partey

As the game progressed, Trossard moved more centrally and Odegaard roamed to collect the ball deep more often, controlling the play. It was slick but the team lacked incision into the final third to finish the game off.

Forest also started to gain more confidence, and played more direct with Chris Wood coming on and Calafiori being replaced by Zinchenko who could be more exposed aerially.

As the game approached the final ten minutes, the game looked to have slowed down for both teams as Arsenal wrestled control. But substitute, Nwaneri, didn’t get the memo. Coming on for Odegaard, he upped the tempo, drove into the box, exchanged passes with Sterling and made it 3-0 with his first attempt of the night. 3-0 Nwaneri

A very convincing win for the Gunners as they return to the hunt to climb up the table. What’s promising is that key players like Saka and Odegaard looked sharper after getting a break from international games.

Havertz and Rice never got off the bench, having their legs saved for a gruelling schedule ahead. Here’s to more from the Arsenal.