Arsenal secured a vital 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with Noni Madueke’s late intervention ensuring the defending champions kept pace with Premier League leaders Manchester City. The result leaves the Gunners within three points of the table-toppers, who claimed a 3-2 win against Ipswich the previous day. They will not be overly concerned after moving to within three points of table-toppers City, who beat Ipswich 3-2 on Saturday, while the Gunners earned few style points in the East Midlands. Forest’s Dan Ndoye tested Arsenal keeper David Raya after drifting in at the far post.
Mikel Arteta’s side produced a disjointed performance at the City Ground, failing to record a single shot on target for the first 70 minutes of play—a statistical low not seen since 2023. Mikel Arteta’s side were well below their best at the City Ground on Sunday and did not register a shot on target until Madueke bagged their winner 10 minutes from full-time.
The visitors struggled to find rhythm, with Bukayo Saka’s early cross causing brief trouble for keeper Matz Sels, while Kai Havertz sent an effort into the side-netting from a tight angle after a clever pass from Martin Odegaard.
Arteta grew visibly frustrated as the first half offered little creative spark. In an effort to shake off the lethargy, the manager brought on Madueke for Eberechi Eze at halftime. Despite the substitution, Forest looked dangerous on the break, with striker Liam Delap drilling an effort narrowly wide following a powerful run. Arteta looked increasingly frustrated on the touchline as a turgid half petered out. Eberechi Eze paid the price for Arsenal’s lethargy as the England forward was replaced by Madueke at the interval.
By the second half, the Arsenal boss turned to his bench again, introducing Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyokeres, and Jurrien Timber. This tactical shift saw Bruno Guimaraes withdrawn after an underwhelming start. Although Gabriel Magalhaes headed over from a Declan Rice corner and Rice himself squandered a significant opportunity from a Timber setup, the Gunners remained largely ineffective in the final third. So Arteta introduced Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber in a bid to ignite a revival, arsenal were too slow in possession and lacked penetration when they went forward.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 80th minute. Madueke cut inside from the left flank, unleashing a strike that took a crucial deflection off Forest defender Jair Cunha, leaving Sels helpless as the ball entered the net. Murillo almost found a late equalizer for the hosts with a powerful strike that whistled just over the crossbar, but Arsenal held on for the points.
This win marks the team’s third consecutive victory since their 3-0 defeat to Brighton on September 19, following wins against Leeds and Lille. While Arsenal have yet to regain the consistent form that powered their title-winning campaign last season, they continue to prove their ability to secure results in difficult circumstances. They have now won six of their last seven league matches. The north Londoners have not been able to recapture the relentless consistency that took them to their first title in 22 years last season.
For Nottingham Forest, the loss underscores a difficult start to the season under manager Oliver Glasner, who has secured only one victory in seven top-flight matches. The club currently sits third from bottom, having won just twice in their previous 17 home league fixtures.
Looking ahead, Arsenal prepare for a trip to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, followed by a home encounter against Everton in the Premier League next weekend.
