Bukayo Saka drove Arsenal out of their goal- and win slumps with a 3-0 defeat of Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal had won just once in their last five outings across all competitions, a League Cup win over Preston North End, but looked electric as Saka scored and added an assist.
The Gunners looked back to their best against a strong defensive side, as Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri came off the bench to score and Martin Odegaard joined Raheem Sterling in the assist column.
Arsenal are one of three teams on 22 points, in fourth behind Chelsea on goal differential, while Forest dip into sixth place with their 19 points.
Odegaard-Saka reunion tour serves up joy for both
Bukayo Saka has been fantastic this season and boasts a Premier League-leading eighth assist following this win, but the freedom he has when opposing back lines have to respect Martin Odegaard leads the English winger to rarefied air. Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta clearly saw the same thing. Arsenal have not lost when Odegaard plays more than a minute this season, and it’s fun to remind Gunners supporters that he’s still 25 for a few more weeks while Saka is barely 23 years old. Both players are world class, and Saka is playing at a Ballon d’Or caliber. If Arsenal can win something this season, maybe he gets that nod?
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Arsenal go to Sporting Lisbon for a Champions League match on Tuesday, then visit West Ham at 12:30pm ET Saturday.
Nottingham Forest host Ipswich Town at 10am Saturday.
How to watch Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: The Emirates Stadium
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest live score: 3-0
Bukayo Saka 15', Thomas Partey 52', Ethan Nwaneri 86'
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest live updates — By Nick Mendola
Ethan Nwaneri goal — Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest (86th minute)
The sub pays off, as the youngster takes a near-post feed from Sterling and slashes inside the aforementioned post.
Odegaard applauded off the pitch
Martin Odegaard’s 82 minutes are well-rewarded by the Emirates as he subs off for young Ethan Nwaneri.
Raheem Sterling is also into the game for Saka, who also hears the approval of North London.
Thomas Partey goal — a screamer! Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest (52nd minute)
Holy smokes!
It’s a banger of a goal from the Ghanaian and comes in no small part because Bukayo Saka has magnetized Forest’s defenders to him.
Saka’s eighth assist of the Premier League season goes to Partey, who had ages to line up his powerful rip.
One sub each at the break
Thomas Partey is on for Jorginho as the hosts look to secure their advantage, while Forest brings on Jota Silva for a reportedly-injured Anthony Elanga.
Halftime — Arsenal 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Not sure how this isn’t three or four to nil.
Saka has been fantastic and the Gunners have held nearly 70% possession but Forest are still in this and that was avoidable for Arsenal.
They’ve left Espirito Santo’s men the chance to fire forward with their typical second-half attacker swap, as Chris Wood and Jota Silva are on the bench, but Morgan Gibbs-White absence from the 18 is screaming.
Saka is electric but Forest off the hook again
Timber leads a foray into the 18 and Saka looks set to make it 2-0 but his shot is blocked.
Trossard jumps onto the rebound and smashes it toward goal. Sels pushes it wide in the 40th minute.
So nearly two!
We’re so close to Saka returning the favor.
The English winger drives into the Forest box and cuts back to Odegaard.
The Norwegian has to dig it out from between his feet but does seem to have the far post picked out with a low, 60% power effort.
That speed allows a block, and Forest keep the damage at one in the 23rd minute.
Bukayo Saka goal! Arsenal 1-0 Nottingham Forest (15th minute)
Martin Odegaard has a shot blocked, and Bukayo Saka picks up the ball with his back to goal.
The Arsenal winger turns back and works a 1-2 with Odegaard, dribbling and hesitating to freeze two defenders before ripping a rocket through the arms of Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Arsenal have been bright
Arsenal have been bright early and have the ball in the goal, but the flag is up.
Jurrien Timber is just offside following a long VAR review that confirms the call.
0-0, 8'.
Arsenal lineup
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Merino, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
Nottingham Forest lineup
Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno, Yates, Ward-Prowse, Dominguez, Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, Awoniyi
Arsenal team news, focus
Martin Odegaard’s availability remains a boost, but the outsides of the back line remains thin as Ben White has joined the walking wounded with a multi-week absence expected for the defender.
OUT: Kieran Tierney (thigh), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Ben White (knee)
Nottingham Forest team news, focus
Forest’s defensive duo of Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo should both be available as the Tricky Trees aim to slow the Gunners.
OUT: Danilo (ankle), Ibrahim Sangare (undisclosed). | QUESTIONABLE: Elliot Anderson (foot)
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest prediction
Home field should be an advantage here, but there’s hope for unease if Forest can strike early or stymy the Arsenal attack for a good stretch of time. Still, Arsenal seem too powerful to sink behind Forest on the table, don’t they? Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest.
