- Arsenal closed the gap on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League on Tuesday by defeating Nottingham Forest 2-1 thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal closed the gap on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League on Tuesday by defeating Nottingham Forest 2-1 thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
This victory put an end to Arsenal’s winless road run.
The closing few minutes were more nerve-wracking for the North London giants than they should have been thanks to a last-gasp Taiwo Awoniyi goal, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s team was unable to complete an incredible comeback as Arsenal equaled their 2-1 victory over the Garibaldi from the first weekend of the new season.
How the game unfolded
The well-rested visitors took possession from the first whistle, but Arteta’s team had few early opportunities; in fact, the only noteworthy chance they had in the first 20 minutes came from a blocked Martin Odegaard shot in the 13th.
Santo’s unyielding defensive line, which saw Smith Rowe fire a 20-yard curler over harmlessly at the half-hour mark, prevented Arteta’s men from breaking through, and their strange inability to shoot was also hurting them.
On the other side, Danilo, a former transfer target for Arsenal, skipped past Rice in the 41st minute and didn’t need a second invitation to shoot, albeit his attempt was high and unappealing.
Danilo’s countryman Murillo almost caused an upset by helping Arsenal break the deadlock in the 44th minute when a Saka strike deflected off the center-back and fooled Matt Turner. However, he was relieved when the ball went narrowly wide and Forest went into halftime with their clean sheet unblemished.
Gabriel Jesus. Photo/ Goal
At the break, Santo made one attacking change, substituting Awoniyi for Chris Wood. The Nigerian’s muscular presence gave the game a minor advantage when Neco Williams headed a header into David Raya’s hands in the 52nd minute.
Arsenal would undoubtedly create a few more glorious opportunities as Forest came to life, but the North London giants were still frustrated; in the 53rd minute, Turner parried a deflected Saka strike away before Jesus rattled the woodwork from close range after a deft passing move.
Jesus, however, would ironically give Arsenal a late lead in the 65th minute after missing that fantastic opportunity. Collecting a quick throw from Oleksandr Zinchenko, the striker raced towards the six-yard box and squeezed the ball between Turner’s legs.
The American goalie was not at fault for Arsenal’s well-earned second goal in the 72nd minute, but one of his defenders was. The former Arsenal goalie did not exactly cover himself in glory at his near post.
Arteta’s team was able to break quickly thanks to Gonzalo Montiel’s careless throw to Odegaard well inside the Arsenal half. Saka’s right-footed cross into the bottom corner of the goal was the result of a deft assist from Jesus.
Saka scored the second goal Photo/ ESPN
In the 81st minute, Leandro Trossard nearly killed the match with a stunning single attempt. He cut inside, dribbling around Forest players before firing, but his powerful drive went straight into the Arsenal group behind Turner’s goal and narrowly missed the top corner.
It was expected that Awoniyi, the former Liverpool player, would give the home team a late lifeline in the 89th minute; he moved William Saliba aside to meet Montiel’s header, had a fortuitous break with the ball, and shot low past Raya.
As injury time drew near, the City Ground came alive. In the third extra minute, Awoniyi had a great opportunity to give the hosts a point, but Raya was equal to his soft volley as Arsenal held on.
Arsenal’s three-game losing streak at the City Ground has ended, and they now trail leaders Liverpool by just two points—despite having played one more game than the Reds and two more than Manchester City. Meanwhile, Forest is in 16th place, two points above Everton in the relegation zone.
Before a thrilling match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, when Forest is also playing Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, Arsenal will have four full days off.
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