Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, putting three without reply past a Forest side who, prior to kick-off, were level on points with the Gunners and only behind in the table on goal difference.
In truth it was never as close during the 90 minutes, with Jurrien Timber seeing a fourth-minute strike ruled out and the visitors barely laying a glove on Arsenal throughout thereafter. Bukayo Saka’s strike did count to give the hosts the lead in the opening quarter of an hour, with the same player then teeing up Thomas Partey’s long-range goal after half-time.
Ethan Nwaneri then came off the bench to net his first top-flight goal and give Arsenal a comfortable return to winning ways, following four straight matches in the league without victory. Follow the latest team news and all the live action below:
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest - live
- Arsenal - Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Merino, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
- Forest - Sels, Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Moreno, Yates, Ward-Prowse, Dominguez, Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, Awoniyi
- 4’ - Timber’s effort ruled out by offside flag
- GOAL! 15’ - Saka races across the box and buries a strike high and hard (1-0)
- GOAL! 52’ - Partey adds a second with a curler from outside the box (2-0)
- GOAL! 85’ - Nwaneri makes it three (3-0)
Arsenal FC 3 - 0 Nottingham Forest FC
Arsenal’s heartbeat restores missing quality in dazzling win over Nottingham Forest
17:13 , Karl MatchettThe Emirates rose to its feet as soon as it became clear Martin Odegaard would be departing. As all sides stood to applaud Arsenal’s best display in weeks, there was recognition too of the wondrous touches and effortless shimmies that had defined a game. Amongst the brilliance from Odegaard, Arsenal realised it is the simple things only he can do that they had missed the most.
Nottingham Forest, who had beaten Liverpool and drawn at Chelsea to arrive at the Emirates level on points with Arsenal, looked second-best throughout and were dismissed 3-0. Arsenal were revitalised with their heartbeat restored, winning in the Premier League for the first time in five games. There was further reason to celebrate as Odegaard marked his first home appearance since August with a dazzling display. After a difficult, “nightmare” autumn that threatened to derail Arsenal’s title challenge, Odegaard helped restore the feel-good factor despite the bite of winter in the air.
Arsenal’s heartbeat restores missing quality in win over Nottingham Forest
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
17:06Arsenal prevail 3-0 against Nottingham Forest on a slick evening at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners were the stronger side throughout, and made their early ascendency worthwhile in the 15th minute. Timber had already had a goal disallowed, yet his side remained undeterred to grab the lead with Saka's excellent effort. Odegaard floated just inside the Forest area with intent, before slotting in Saka as he ran from right to left. The England star kept going across the box, before slamming back across Sels, high into the net with his left foot. The momentum continued after the break as Partey superbly blasted home a rocket from range in the 52nd minute, after latching onto a Saka pass from the right wing. Both Saka and Odegaard got ovations as they were withdrawn for the final exchanges, however, home fans would be cheering again as substitutes Sterling and Nwaneri linked up for the latter's first Premier League goal - a fine finish low into the bottom-right corner late on. Arsenal continue in fourth after this result, with Forest moving down to sixth. The Gunners were deserved winners today, consummately exceeding their 1.40 xG, while Forest, admittedly, never got going with their 0.40 xG. Thanks for joining us this afternoon, goodbye!
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:58FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 3-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:56Forest have a free-kick in the centre of the Arsenal half. Instead of a deft delivery from Ward-Prowse, Murillo pings one... straight into the stand.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:55Yates blocks a late Arsenal cross on the right and now Nwaneri will take the corner on that side. The ball comes into an unmarked Gabriel, yet the defender can't steer his effort on goal.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:54There will be five minutes of added time.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:52Silva has the ball in the net for Forest, yet after brief deliberation, it's disallowed for offside.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:50Substitution Jurriën David Norman Timber Jakub Piotr Kiwior
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:48Assist Raheem Shaquille Sterling
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:47Goal Ethan Chidiebere Nwaneri
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:47Nwaneri picks up where Saka left off, it seems. He jinks inside Williams from the right and curls one just wide-left of Sels' goal!
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:45Partey has another go from range... It's safe to say it's far from anything resembling his earlier goal. Well wide. Way too high.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:44Substitution Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka Ethan Chidiebere Nwaneri
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:44Substitution Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:43Arsenal queue up at the back post and in quite comical fashion, Saka's corner doesn't beat Yates at the near post... It's out for a corner on the other side. Trossard takes, yet it's cleared again.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:41Saka glides in from the right and fires with his left, however, Murillo blocks well and it's a corner on the right.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:39Forest win a free-kick, and yet again, it's a pleasant position for Ward-Prowse to deliver. However, Arsenal get a head on it and clear. Williams then picks out Yates from the right, but the captain's header is too high.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:36Moreno is off for Forest, as former Liverpool man Neco Williams is entrusted with the final exchanges. Can Forest soil Arsenal's so far clean sheet?
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:35Jota Silva fires for Forest, but it's off his own player Wood!
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:31Partey goes down and wants a penalty! Moreno was the man behind him as he fell following a Zinchenko cross from the left, yet Simon Hooper waved it away quickly.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:31Yellow Card Ryan James Yates
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:29Arsenal go looking for a third, yet Merino's effort after a passing move from the edge of the box is just too high.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:29Substitution Riccardo Calafiori Oleksandr Zinchenko
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:27Aina and then Milenkovic block an Arsenal attack each. We've hit a vein of end-to-end action.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:26Right after the substitutes take place, Milenkovic fires off target for the away side.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:25Raya claims a cross from the right and tries to get Odegaard off on his way. Dominguez tracks back and halts the move before movement arrives from the visiting bench.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:25Substitution Nicolás Martín Domínguez Ramón Sosa Acosta
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:25Substitution Taiwo Micheal Awoniyi Christopher Grant Wood
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:24Arsenal are just protecting the ball, at the time of writing. Steadily they have managed to work it up-field. However, Moreno stops the move and now Forest try to get something moving. They've been flat today, far from their form before the international break.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:21This has been a thoroughly professional performance from Arsenal so far. Will they cap it with a first league clean sheet since 15 September?
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:19After that earlier goal, it now means that Nottingham Forest have conceded four goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Only AFC Bournemouth (with six) have conceded more in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:18Ward-Prowse takes the corner with Milenkovic the target. However, Raya punches away confidently.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:18Dominguez is fouled, and now Forest have Ward-Prowse preparing the ball in a dangerous area on the right. The ball floats in and Yates is loitering. However, it's put behind for a corner on the left.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:17Saka has now assisted two goals in five appearances in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest. Partey has now scored two goals in four appearances in the league against Forest.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:14Forest look to grow into this second half as Aina darts down the right wing. His cross is helped on its way by a recovering Trossard but Raya claims the high ball.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:14Assist Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:13Goal Thomas Teye Partey
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:13Silva is making himself popular so far. He has already garnered frustrated jeers from the home crowd, now he gets those again as Trossard clips him on the right.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:10Early in this second period, the Gunners look to move down the right. However, Forest are alive to the situation and after a second wave of attack, Moreno is able to deal with the pressure.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:08Forest resume play as the second half begins.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:07Just before the second half gets underway, the booked Jorginho makes way for Thomas Partey.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:07Substitution Anthony David Junior Elanga João Pedro Ferreira Silva
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:03As alluded to in the summary, Arsenal have been firmly in the driver's seat this afternoon. Forest have been sat deep, operating through rare counters and the odd set-piece. Even then, those attacks have been driven by Elanga, with an isolated Hudson-Odoi having just nine touches in the first half. Arsenal have been good value for their 1.06 xG, while Forest's 0.15 xG leaves a lot to be desired for the second 45 minutes. The fact that Murillo is the Forest player with the most touches paints a reasonable picture of this Forest performance so far. Expect to see Wood enter from the bench.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:59The drizzle in North London hasn't been enough to dampen Arsenal's first-half spirits as they deservedly lead Nottingham Forest 1-0. The Gunners started excellently, finding the net just inside five minutes as Timber poked home following an Odegaard deep-set free-kick from the right. However, with VAR's input, Merino was found to be a hair offside and the goal was chalked off. The hosts put this behind them with scintillating inter-play, especially between Timber, Saka, and Odegaard, and the lead was broken in the 15th minute. Odegaard floated just inside the Forest area with intent, before slotting in Saka as he ran from right to left. The England star just kept going across the box, before slamming back across Sels, high into the net with his left foot. Just before the break, Trossard and Saka continued to push for more, yet Sels was equal when required. And thus, amid a flurry of cards, the first period ended with Arteta's side a goal to the good.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:52HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:50Yellow Card Temitayo Olufisayo Olaoluwa Aina
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:50Dominguez fouls Odegaard, yet Saka's delivery is too far. It's back with Sels.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:49After a long cross from Elanga, Arsenal come forward again just before the interval. The pace has dropped slightly, though.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:48Timber smashes over! Great continued interplay between the Dutchman, Saka and Odegaard results in the right-back receiving the ball just inside the Forest box. He rushes his effort and it's high and true.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:47There will be five minutes of added time.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:47Forest's free-kick is wasted and Arsenal break after Milenkovic is dispossessed. That resulting pressure ends with a Gunners throw on the right.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:45The second corner flies a little deeper, yet Sels can slap away from danger.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:45Yellow Card Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:45Trossard's corner from the left is headed straight back out to him for another go from the set-piece.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:44Sels! What a save! Odegaard breaks through the centre of Forest's midfield and plays in Jesus. The Brazilian is forced wide right, so slips it over to Saka who fires inward with his left. It looks destined for the bottom-left corner, yet Sels paws it away excellently! He saw it late too.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:43With his blocked attempt earlier, Saka has now attempted three shots in this game, more than any other player (ahead of Odegaard - two shots).
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:43The resulting corner from Saka on the right is hit too hard and flies over everyone.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:42Trossard! Sels saves at his right post! Timber and Saka dovetail with awesome effect down the right, before the latter is blocked. Trossard arrives to strike, yet the Belgian keeper makes a solid save.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:41Arsenal win a corner on the right as the rain continues to filter down in North London. Saka is over to take it and applauds the crowd. The in-swinger comes into the box but Murillo is up bravely to head clear powerfully.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:38The left-sided set-piece comes in and Dominguez meets it at the near post. However, it's up and off the top of his head and Arsenal restart with the goal-kick.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:37Still yet to take the free-kick, Forest have Elanga down now, holding what looks like his right shoulder.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:36Jorginho fouls Yates high on the left as Forest continue this rare offensive impetus. A dangerous set-piece awaits, especially with Moreno and Ward-Prowse in the vicinity.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:34Murillo crosses into the Arsenal area from the left in a rare Forest foray forward. However, it's nodded away with ease. The visitors retain possession, yet are pushed back past halfway.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:32Yellow Card Gabriel Fernando de Jesus
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:30Another Arsenal keep-ball move results in a shot from the right side, however, Timber just strays offside.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:29Jesus fires just wide! Saka, Jesus, Odegaard and Timber work the ball with superb precision off the right flank before it drops to Jesus to fire. He glides his effort just wide of the right post. That was nearly a passing move to remember!
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:26Ward-Prowse puts in an excellent set-piece delivery from deep on the right and Yates is there. However, he can't get over the ball and it flies high of Raya's goal.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:25Jorginho enters Hooper's book after stopping Elanga's right-wing run in somewhat cynical fashion.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:25Saka squirms away from Moreno on the right and then slides it back for Odegaard. His shot looks destined for the bottom-left corner, yet Milenkovic is alive to block smartly.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:22Awoniyi clashes with Gabriel in the air. There is a brief stoppage as the big man gets back to his feet as the whistles ring out from the unapproving crowd. After this, Jesus is played in down the left before slipping in Merino who looks for Saka, yet Forest clear. The flag is up regardless for offside.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:22Arsenal keep working well in attack. A move down the left sees Trossard and Odegaard work together smartly, although the eventual pass inside to Saka is blocked and it ricochets off an Arsenal body to go behind for a Sels goal-kick.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:22Arsenal have a record of W2, D2, L0 when scoring the opening goal at home in the Premier League this season. The Gunners have also scored in their last nine Premier League home games.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:16Assist Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:15Goal Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:15No sides have scored more Premier League goals from set piece situations (excluding penalties) this season than either Arsenal or Nottingham Forest (five, level with Aston Villa). Meanwhile, 33% of the Gunners goals conceded have come from set pieces (4/12), with no team shipping a higher such ratio in the competition this term.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:14Elanga drives at Gabriel, yet a combination of the Brazilian and Calafiori block the Swedish international off with great success.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:11Forest are looking refreshed after that VAR decision. The men in light blue this afternoon are just knocking it around smartly. Well, until Saliba cuts out a pass in behind. The hosts now move into a solid spell on the ball.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:10Well, the jeers were loud enough as we awaited that decision, but it has officially gone down as an offside decision against Merino. The Spaniard apparently failed to time his run right from the initial Odegaard ball in.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:07Odegaard crosses from the right and Merino nods down on goal. Dominguez blocks on the line before Timber pokes home but the offside flag is up against the Dutchman. This will be checked by VAR!
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:06Aina comes forward for Forest in this already frenetic game. He crosses low from the right for Hudson-Odoi, yet the former Chelsea man can't get his feet right and he misses it completely! Dominguez then fouls Saka as Arsenal retort.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:04The delivery from the left comes in, yet Forest are able to nod half-clear. It's back into the Trees' box, before Trossard fires from an initial Saka shot. It's straight at Sels! The offside flag then goes up for the following skirmish in the area.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:02Excellent early work from Merino has earned Arsenal a corner on the left.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:02The hosts kick us off and a long ball from the back goes sweeping up the pitch before Jorginho is fouled.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
15:01Simon Hooper is today's referee in the capital. He leads the players out onto the turf just before the Premier League anthem begins to blare. We go through the final preparations and warm-ups before the two captains meet with the head official. North London Forever is the next on the DJ's rotation. The coin toss reveals that Arsenal will get us under way here.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
14:57While Arsenal are winless in their last four Premier League games (D2 L2), as many times as they’d failed to win in their previous 25 combined (W21 D3 L1), Forest may be a great side to get back on track against. The Trees have lost each of their last four league away games against Arsenal and are winless in their last 10 visits to the Gunners (D4 L6) since a 3-1 win in March 1989. That said, Nottingham Forest have now won five of their last seven on the road (D2). Nuno Espirito Santo's side are looking to go unbeaten in their first six away games in a single top-flight campaign for the first time since 1995-96.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
14:47Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said he is "managing some players" following the international break but did not give any further details ahead of this game. It turns out, that the Portuguese has dropped in-form striker Chris Wood to the bench after the New Zealander just recently returned from international duty with the All Whites. Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo still remain as two long-term absentees.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
14:41Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has made five changes from the last Premier League game as his side look to get their first win in five league games. In fact, this is the most amount of alterations for the Gunners from one match to another this season.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
14:41SUBS: Carlos Miguel, Eric da Silva Moreira, Harry Toffolo, Morato, Neco Williams, Willy Boly, Chris Wood, Jota Silva, Ramon Sosa.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
14:41NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Matz Sels; Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Alex Moreno; Ryan Yates, Nicolas Dominguez; Anthony Elanga, James Ward-Prowse, Callum Hudson-Odoi; Taiwo Awoniyi.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
14:36SUBS: Neto, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Declan Rice, Ethan Nwaneri, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
14:36ARSENAL (4-3-3): David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori; Martin Odegaard, Jorginho, Mikel Merino; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
14:36Hosts Arsenal sit in fourth place on 19 points after 11 matches. Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw in their last Premier League match at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, extending an unwanted winless streak to four (W0 D2 L2). Nottingham Forest's last league outing saw them beaten 3-1 by Newcastle United at The City Ground to snap a four-match unbeaten streak. They sit a place below Arsenal in fifth. The Gunners won the last Premier League meeting between the sides, emerging victorious 2-1 at The City Ground last season. Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring for the Gunners in the 65th minute. Bukayo Saka also was on the scoresheet. Taiwo Awoniyi scored the lone goal for Forest in the 89th minute.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
14:31Hello everyone. After Nations League action among other competitions, we have returned from the international break, and now you join this live text commentary for the Premier League's twelfth match week. This afternoon, action comes from the Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest to North London.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
14:30Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest - live
13:51 , Karl MatchettLineups are in:
Arsenal - Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Merino, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
Forest - Sels, Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Moreno, Yates, Ward-Prowse, Dominguez, Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, Awoniyi
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 23, 2024
🔙 Calafiori returns
🤝 Jorginho partners Merino
⚡️ Jesus up top
Let's bring the energy, Gunners 👊
Your Forest XI to face Arsenal. 👊 pic.twitter.com/4vEqPJHKsP
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) November 23, 2024
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
13:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
