Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Two excellent strikes by Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey were enough to seal victory for Arsenal, before a late third from gilded teen talent Ethan Nwaneri on a wet and windy afternoon in North London
In a match the Gunners dominated from start to finish, Mikel Arteta’s side underlined their title credentials and banish recent patchy form.
Fit again Saka’s superb first half goal was joined by another long-range effort from second half substitute Partey as the home side ensured they cut leaders Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to six points, albeit with Arne Slot’s side set to face strugglers Southampton on Sunday.
The Gunners were boosted by the return of captain Odegaard, who was at the centre of every bright moment, lighting up a dank and grey Islington afternoon with his vision and flair that Arsenal have so badly missed during his two months absence.
In a lively start 23-year-old Saka fielded a pass from Martin Odegaard, before driving to find space along the visitors crowded backline. Once the England attacker had worked a fraction of an opening, he powered an outstanding effort past Matz Sels in the Forest goal to make it 1-0 on 15 minutes.
Arteta’s side nearly doubled their lead when Gabriel Jesus’ curler flew narrowly past Sels far post as they dominated Nuno Santos side.
Six minutes before half time Leandro Trossard forced a fine near post save from Sels, after Saka had won the ball back on the halfway line before dovetailing well with the onrushing Jurrien Timber. Moments later Sels denied Saka’s low shot across goal with an excellent block
Arsenal came out looking to solidity their lead, and did so seven minutes after the interval, when Partey’s superb long-range effort flew past Sels in the Forest goal to make it 2-0.
As the clock ticked down, Arteta made a number of substitutions with the tough Champions League trip to Ruben Amorim’s former club where the Gunners take on Sporting Club de Portugal in Lisbon in mind. Not least when switching Odegaard for Nwaneri – which saw the move pay immediate dividends when the precocious teenager made it 3-0.
On an instantly forgettable afternoon weather-wise this game will be remembered for three moments of individual skill that lit up Islington.
