Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal: Madueke wins it after war of attrition

Arsenal moved back up to second place in the Premier League this evening, and within three points of leaders Manchester City, after Noni Madueke’s late strike earned them victory at Nottingham Forest.

The champions were well below their best and Madueke’s shot, which clipped Jair Cunha on its way in, was their first effort on target, coming with 10 minutes to go.

It sees Arsenal leapfrog Brighton, who thrashed Crystal Palace earlier in the day, although boss Mikel Arteta will know his team will have to perform much better than this if they are to retain the title.

Madueke was a half-time replacement for the ineffective Eberechi Eze in what proved a shrewd move by Arteta. The former Chelsea winger has his critics but he showed a willingness to get at his defender that Arsenal’s other attacking players lacked.

Defeat was harsh on Forest, who had limited Arsenal to very few opportunities, but they remain in the relegation zone.

Gibbs-White absence boosts Arsenal

The hosts suffered a blow before kick-off when it was confirmed key midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White was ruled out due to injury. They still created the first half-chance with Dan Ndoye firing a shot into the sidenetting after 20 minutes.

Arsenal responded by almost going ahead from a corner seven minutes later. Forest failed to clear Bukayo Saka’s right-wing delivery, enabling Gabriel to attempt an audacious back heel that appeared to be heading in before hitting defensive partner Ezri Konsa and Forest got the ball clear.

Arsenal had another opportunity seven minutes before the break. Saka won a free-kick with a shocking dive under minimal contact from Xaver Schlager and Declan Rice’s whipped delivery was headed over by Kai Havertz when he arguably should’ve done better.

Havertz then shot into the sidenetting from a tight angle as Arsenal cranked up the pressure approaching half-time.

Forest started the second period on top without really testing David Raya in the Arsenal goal.

James McAtee fired a free-kick well over the bar from 20 yards out before Liam Delap’s shot was deflected wide by Gabriel.

Substitutes make the difference as Arsenal win it late on

With Arsenal failing to register a shot on target in the opening hour, Arteta had seen enough and introduced Mikel Merino, Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres in an attempt to spark some life into his team.

It worked to an extent as Arsenal began to see more of the ball in midfield.

They were still struggling to create meaningful chances, though. Gabriel glanced a Rice corner over the bar before the England midfielder wasted the Gunners’ best chance after 73 minutes. Some lovely interplay between Saka and Martin Odegaard enabled Timber to break free down the right. He pulled the ball back for Rice but he fired wastefully over the top.

Madueke did much better seven minutes later after cutting in from the left flank, although Cunha can count himself unfortunate.

Forest squandered two superb chances to equalise in stoppage time, the first when some brilliant skill from centre-half Murillo saw him beat two Arsenal defenders before firing a curling shot inches over the bar.

And then a stunning intervention from Ezri Konsa denied Delap when the former Chelsea striker raced clear.

But Arsenal held on to maintain their title challenge and leave Forest, and boss Oliver Glasner, looking over their shoulders.

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