Noni Madueke broke the deadlock in a dull game as Arsenal squeezed past Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The substitute came off the bench at half-time and scored the winner with a deflected effort, with Forest’s resistance broken 10 minutes from time.
Madueke’s shot clipped Jair Cunha and flew in, leaving the Forest defender unlucky. It came after Declan Rice missed a big chance but then played the ball to Madueke for the goal.
Arsenal player ratings
Madueke replaced Eberechi Eze in the 46th minute to add energy and spark to the attack, and earned a 7. Eze had a big chance to make the left wing his own but did not take it, and he was subbed at half-time with a 5.
Ezri Konsa also rated a 7. He was involved in the physical battle with Liam Delap and was part of the back four that kept a clean sheet, mainly thanks to his brilliant injury-time tackle on Delap. Rice also scored a 7, with powerful running and energy from midfield, even though Arsenal’s midfield struggled to create.
David Raya put in a solid display and made a great take from a corner in the first half (6). Ben White made lots of overlapping runs and was solid defensively but found no breakthrough (6). Gabriel Magalhaes was pressured and tested like his centre-back partner but stood up to the challenge, as he often does (6).
Riccardo Calafiori made a loose pass in the first half that ended with a good Forest attack. He made lots of adventurous runs that did not lead to a goal (6). Martin Odegaard tried to get on the ball and make things happen but could not find the pass to open the Forest defence (6). Bukayo Saka delivered dangerous crosses into the area but had little room to operate as Forest sat deep (6).
Bruno Guimaraes did not have his best day and was replaced by Mikel Merino (5). Kai Havertz offered little as Arsenal were poor going forward despite having lots of the ball, and he was taken off (5).
Among the other substitutes, Viktor Gyokeres worked hard after replacing Havertz in the 66th minute (6). Merino was tidy and composed in midfield (6). Jurrien Timber replaced White and provided a cross for a late Rice chance (6).
Arsenal’s unused substitutes were Meslier, Lewis-Skelly, Mosquera, Zubimendi and Dowman.
Nottingham Forest player ratings
Every Forest starter scored a 6, and the only lower mark went to a substitute.
Matz Sels was untroubled, with Arsenal struggling to create clear chances until Forest’s resistance was broken with 10 minutes left. Murillo took a blow to the head in the first half that required treatment, and he almost grabbed an injury-time leveller following some great skill.
Ousmane Diomande made only his fourth Premier League start since his summer signing, but he has settled well and looked to be helping Forest to a positive point. Cunha has become a dependable member of Oliver Glasner’s side.
Neco Williams was booked in the first half and was unable to threaten from wing-back, while his usual reliable deliveries did not meet his normal standards. Xaver Schlager has slotted in well to the Forest engine room but could not influence the game this time.
Nicolas Dominguez was neat and tidy in the middle in his first Premier League appearance of the season but naturally ran out of steam. James McAtee was asked to be the creative force without the injured Morgan Gibbs-White. He worked hard but could not find that spark.
Daniel Munoz tested Raya and tried to get forward, especially in the first half, but more was needed. Dan Ndoye shot wide early but offered little end product and could not get the better of Calafiori. Delap enjoyed the physical battle with Arsenal’s defence and was a nuisance to Konsa and Gabriel, but he did not get close to a goal.
Substitute Ibrahim Sangare replaced Dominguez in the 74th minute. He stopped at the crucial moment to allow Arsenal to regroup and score, and he earned a 5.
Forest’s unused substitutes were John Victor, Yates, Netz, Milenkovic and Aina.