Nottingham Forest starting XI: Sels (GK); Moreno, Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina; Dominguez, Ward-Prowse, Yates; Hudson-Odoi, Awoniyi, Elanga.
Match officials:
Referee: Simon Hooper.
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long.
Fourth official: Dean Whitestone.
VAR: Darren England.
Assistant VAR: Marc Perry
Premier League
Emirates Stadium
23rd November 2024
KO: 15:00 (UK)
As we look to return to Premier League action after a long international break, we face an inform Nottingham Forest side. However, they are missing Chris Wood in their starting XI for today’s game.
For us, we have the return of Odegaard in the starting XI, with Arteta also picking a rotated squad with Jesus and Jorginho coming in the team.
With Forest picking up points against the big sides, today’s game will be tough and our boys will have to graft and also control the game to grab the three points.
We kicked off the game, and started on the front foot with Saka’s effort blocked, the ball then rebounded to Trossard who forced a smart save from Sels. Forest then burst into our half as Aina almost found Hudson-Odoi in the box, however, the ball couldn’t quite reach him. We then won a freekick, which was swung in by Odegaard, headed down by Merino and cleared off the line by Dominguez to Timber who was there to tap in however, the offside flag was put up. After a long wait, VAR finally agreed with the assistant’s decision and the goal was ruled offside.
As we retained the ball, Jorginho went down in the box, but the referee waved away any penalty shouts. We then broke the deadlock as Odegaard flicked to Saka on the right side of the box , as Saka drove past the Forest players across the box before firing a shot past Sels into the roof of the net.
Again some nice link up play from Odegaard and Saka before the Norwegian’s shot was blocked. Elanga then sprinted down the pitch before being taken down by Jorginho for a free kick, as the Italian was shown a yellow card. Ward-Prowse stepped up to take and whipped the ball in as Yates headed over. Jesus then was the second player in Simon Hooper’s book as he received a yellow for his late challenge on Dominguez.
Forest then began to get a foothold in the game as they battled well in the middle of the park stopping us from linking the play. Jorginho then gave away another free kick and simultaneously Elanga went down needing to receive treatment following his earlier clash with Jorginho. Ward-Prowse swung in again, however, Dominguez headed over.
Saka then had his effort blocked as the ball came to Trossard who fired a shot towards the top corner however, Sels was there to tip the ball away. Saka then unleashed another shot down low which was saved by Sels.
Moments later, Saka became the third Arsenal player to be booked as he received a yellow for a high boot on Yates. 5 minutes were added as Timber fired into the stands. Forest then had their first booking on the brink of half time as Aina was booked for a late challenge on Trossard. The referee then blew the half-time whistle.
Half time views:
A very strong display, with Saka and Odegaard at the heart of all our attacks.
Arteta will be looking for the players to stay disciplined as Forest have looked dangerous when they have attacked in the wide areas.
Maybe Arteta could make the change of Partey with Jorginho as he is on a yellow card and has made a few challenges after the card.
Before the start of the second half, both sides made changes with Elanga being replaced by Jota Silva due to a collar bone issue and for us, Partey replaced Jorginho. Jota Silva avoided an early booking for throwing the ball away as a few moments later, Raya stood tall and claimed the ball despite the wind. We then grabbed our second a few minutes later, through Partey who struck from range into the inside left netting and past Sels after Saka set him up nicely.
Raya then again claimed from Moreno’s cross. As we looked for a third, we kept the ball trying to exploit areas in between the Forest attackers.
Forest then made changes with Wood and Sosa replacing, Awoniyi and Dominguez. Sosa made an immediate impact with his cross being headed wide by Milenkovic. We then made our own change with Zinchenko replacing Calafiori who had just come back from injury.
Again, a penalty shout on Saka was waved away by the referee as Moreno ushered Saka away at the back post. Yates then was booked for a late challenge on Merino. As the game lost its intensity, Raya was then called into action as he swept up a loose ball ,with Jota Silva’s strike then hitting the back of Wood.
Forest then made a single change with Neco Williams replacing Moreno. Forest then began to get back into the game with Yates heading just over with Raya troubled. Odegaard and Saka then surged forward as the ball was cut back to Partey who fired over. Odegaard and Saka were then both replaced by Nwaneri and Sterling, as they received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Nwaneri then grabbed his first Premier League goal to make it 3-0 to the Gunners as Sterling cut back and Nwaneri slid in to slot home into the bottom right. Forest then had the ball in the net through Jota Silva however, he was ruled offside. 5 minutes were then added and Forest had their last chance with Murillo blazing over from 45 yards as the referee blew the final whistle.
Full time views:
A very dominant performance with Nwaneri getting his first Premier League goal for the club.
For periods in the second half, we allowed Forest to get into the game however, their attacking threat on goal was minimal.
Anyhow, onwards and upwards, as we look to face Sporting away in the Champions League on Tuesday night
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