Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest: Gunners open Premier League campaign with three points despite late Forest flurry
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Updated 13/08/2023 at 14:59 GMT+1
Arsenal hung on for three opening day Premier League points against a brave Nottingham Forest side at the Emirates. Eddie Nketiah and a Bukayo Saka screamer saw the Gunners race into a 2-0 lead but the visitors pulled one back through substitute Taiwo Awoniyi to set up a nervy finish. Mikel Arteta's side held on for the win however.
Highlights from Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League
Arsenal got their quest for a first top-flight title in 20 years underway with a narrow 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
The Gunners followed up their Community Shield triumph over Manchester City with an assured display at Emirates Stadium, but their joy was slightly tempered by concerns over an injury to summer signing, Jurrien Timber.
Forest were under the cosh for long spells but should have sneaked in front on 11 minutes when Brennan Johnson somehow failed to hit the target after being sent clean through on Aaron Ramsdale.
It proved to be a significant miss as the hosts took the lead on 26 minutes when Eddie Nketiah finished off some mesmerising work from Gabriel Martinelli on the left.
Mikel Arteta’s side then doubled their advantage just past the half hour as Bukayo Saka cut in from the right and sizzled a sensational 25-yard shot into the far corner. It was a strike that gave former team-mate and Forest debutant Matt Turner no chance in the visiting goal.
Arsenal continued to dictate following the restart but suffered a blow when Timber was forced off with what looked like a knee injury he had sustained just prior to the break.
Another new recruit, Declan Rice came close to putting the result beyond doubt when he twice forced Turner into action before the away side pulled a goal back eight minutes from time through substitute Taiwo Awoniyi.
It set up a barnstorming, end-to-end finale but Forest could not snatch a late leveller and The Gunners held on to prevail.
Next up, Arsenal visit Crystal Palace a week on Monday. Forest host Sheffield United on Friday.
Talking Point - Job done for Arsenal with more to come from The Gunners despite the nervy finish
This was far from a vintage display from Arsenal, but it was good enough to maintain the positivity surrounding the club at present as a result of key summer signings and the Community Shield success.
For long spells they bossed possession and played within themselves before having to work hard late on after Nottingham Forest launched a somewhat unlikely attempt to snatch a draw. Arteta and co. will still take plenty of confidence from this with three points to kick off their title bid the clear priority, particularly after Manchester City eased to victory at Burnley on Friday night.
There’s no doubt sterner challenges lie ahead for Arsenal and they will be slightly frustrated they did not quash Forest’s hopes earlier, but there was nothing to suggest that they won’t be serious contenders this term as they look to put last season’s collapse in the run-in behind them.
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Player of the match - Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
The 21-year-old was a constant menace on the right. Forest doubled up – and sometimes tripled up – in an attempt to clamp down on the England star’s creativity. Indeed, much of the hosts’ threat came down the flanks with Martinelli also excellent. It could have gone either way but Saka gets the nod for a special goal that proved to be the winner.
Player Ratings
ARSENAL: Ramsdale 6, Partey 8, Saliba 8, White 7, Timber 7, Rice 8, Odegaard 8, Havertz 8, Saka 9, Nketiah 8, Martinelli 9. Subs: Tomiyasu 6, Trossard 6, Gabriel n/a.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Turner 8, Aurier 6, McKenna 6, Worrall 7, Boly 7, Aina 7, Mangala 6, Yates 6, Danilo 6, Gibbs-White 6, Johnson 6. Subs: Awoniyi 7, Williams 7, Elanga 7, Wood n/a, Kouyate n/a.
Match Highlights
11’ – NOTTINGHAM FOREST CHANCE! Johnson races clean through from a simple header forward but somehow contrives to fire wide of Ramsdale's left-hand post.
26’ – GOAL! – Arsenal 1-0 Nottingham Forest. Nketiah cuts past two and drills a deflected, low shot beyond Turner after mesmerising play by Martinelli down the left.
32’ – GOAL! – Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest. Saka cuts in from the right and curves a stunning 25-yard effort into the far corner.
76’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Rice almost scores on his PL bow for the Gunners but his deflected, low 20-yard strike is tipped on to the post by Turner.
82’ – GOAL! – Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest. The substitutes combine as Elanga surges down the left and puts it on a plate for Awoniyi to tuck home from close range.
Key Stats
- Nketiah scored his first Premier League goal since getting two against Manchester United back in January (2023).
- Arsenal are now unbeaten in 13 home games against Nottingham Forest in all competitions, winning nine and drawing four.
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