Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Review
Arsenal secured their third straight Premier League victory at the Emirates Stadium for the first time since August 2024 by defeating Nottingham Forest 3-0. Ange Postecoglou, who was appointed as Nuno Espirito Santo’s successor during the international break, faced a tough challenge in his debut match. Nottingham Forest found themselves struggling and were clearly outplayed during the first half in north London. Postecoglou’s preferred playing style differs significantly from that of his predecessor, and it appears the team was having difficulty adjusting to the new approach.
Although Arsenal controlled possession for most of the first half, clear scoring opportunities were rare. One of the only two shots on target before halftime was Mikel Merino’s close-range effort, which was well saved by Matz Sels. Both teams faced setbacks due to injuries, with Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard and Forest defender Murillo being substituted. At halftime, the score was decided by a moment of brilliance, Martín Zubimendi’s remarkable volley marked not only his first goal for his new club but also his first senior league goal from outside the penalty area.
Arsenal took 37 minutes to open the scoring but doubled their lead within the first minute of the second half. Viktor Gyökeres, signed in the summer to enhance Arteta’s attack, was on hand to finish off Eberechi Eze’s cross from close range. Early in the second half, the visitors nearly scored a lucky goal when Dan Ndoye’s cross deflected off Chris Wood towards the net, but David Raya managed to tip it onto the crossbar. Shortly after, the woodwork was rattled again at the other end when Gyökeres’ shot from a tight angle hit the post and bounced away safely.
From that moment, Forest seemed to lose confidence in their ability to get back into the game, and even after Ryan Yates and James McAtee came on, Postecoglou’s team couldn’t apply any real pressure. Consequently, Arsenal managed to comfortably maintain their lead and secure their third win in four matches this season. Zubimendi’s late header further enhanced the scoreline, serving as a perfect comeback after their 1-0 loss to Liverpool before the international break. On the other hand, Forest have now suffered their second straight 3-0 defeat, leaving Postecoglou with a challenge to reverse this negative trend and prevent it from worsening.
