Nffc v Arsenal

 It was third time lucky for Mikel Arteta on his trip to the City Ground after his Arsenal side beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 on a cold night in the East Midlands. Second half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka was enough to get the Gunners over the line despite a late scare through Taiwo Awoniyi. Forest have now suffered back to back defeats in the Premier League and were unable replicate any of their last three home games against the North London side. 

Nuno Espírito Santo made three changes from the side that were held to a 0-0 draw in the FA Cup at the hands of Championship side Bristol City. Nuno Tavares was ineligible to play due to his loan conditions as Harry Toffolo stepped in his place. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ryan Yates were the other two to come out the side and they were replaced by Neco Williams and Morgan-Gibbs-White. Three men who had been sidelined through injury got places on the bench with Felipe, Awoniyi and Anthony Elanga bolstering Nuno’s options. Arteta made two changes from his side that demolished Crystal Palace 5-0 in their last outing. Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard both dropped to the bench as Emile Smith Rowe got his second league start of the season and Gabriel Martinelli came back into the eleven. 

The first half was very limited with chances. The home side came closest when Danilo picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch and his shot from distance went over the bar. The Brazilian looking to find the net again after scoring a spectacular goal in the league defeat at Brentford. 

Arsenal’s best chance came just before the half time whistle was called. Saka curled a cross to the back post which Jesus got above Andrew Omobamidele to head on target but former Arsenal keeper Matt Turner stretched to tip the ball over the bar. Turner keen to build up his confidence after struggling to keep up to high standards after being at fault for some goals in the past few weeks. 

That was it for the first half as both side’s struggled to create any clear cut opportunities. Arsenal dominated on the ball in which they had 81% possession in the first half. This gave Forest a difficult time as they struggled to get out their own half. There was a half time substitute for the home side. Chris Wood being replaced by the returning Awoniyi who hasn’t featured since November through injury which have Forest a huge bonus. 

The post came to the home sides rescue ten minutes into the second half. Some nice play between Saka and Martin Ødegaard saw the latter flick the ball to a free Jesus on the right and his shot cannoned off the near post from the right. The away side creeping ever so closer to taking the lead but at the same time we’re growing frustrated. 

They did eventually take the lead though on the 65 minute mark. A quick throw found Jesus on the left side of the box and the Brazilian managed to squeeze the ball in from a tight angle by putting the ball through Turner’s legs. A fourth goal of the season for the former Manchester City striker as he piled more uncertainty on his former teammate Turner as it it seen as another mistake from him. 

Just seven minutes later, the away side doubled their advantage and it was through another individual mistake from Forest. This time Gonzalo Montiel’s failed clearance on the half way line fell straight to Ødegaard who sent Jesus away down the left and he put the ball across to Saka who found the far corner on his weak foot. Forest the creators of their own downfall again as it seems these individual mistakes have been a recurring theme all season. 

There was a glimmer of hope for Forest as they scored with two minutes to go. Danilo sending a long ball that was headed down by Montiel to Awoniyi who turned and found the back of the net from close range. The perfect return for the Nigerian shot managed to claim his fifth goal of the season despite a VAR check. 

Forest pushed for an equaliser but ultimately ran out of time as Arsenal came away with the three points. The result leaves the Reds 16th in the league and two points clear of Everton as the gap is getting tighter. Forest next travel to the South Coast to play AFC Bournemouth in where a win could prove vital. Arsenal claim back to back wins in the Premier League. The result moves them second ahead of Manchester City’s two games in hand and two points off Liverpool who also have a game in hand. Liverpool is Arsenal’s next test at the Emirates for a crucial game in the title race.