Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on Sunday, with Noni Madueke scoring in the 80th minute. Madueke, who had come on at half-time for Eberechi Eze, hit a shot from a sharp angle on the left that deflected off Forest's Jair Cunha and left goalkeeper Matz Sels with no chance.
Arsenal had about 75 per cent of possession, close to 80 per cent early on, but their expected goals total was only 1.07 and they barely created more than that. Kai Havertz put a header from a free-kick over the bar, Gabriel headed over from a corner in the 67th minute, and Declan Rice hit one over the goal around the 73rd after an overlap by Timber. Forest had three good chances after going behind, none of them on target, and their back line kept Arsenal out of the penalty area for long stretches.
The closing minutes were tense. In the 89th minute Rice lunged to block a left-footed Forest effort after Chris Wood wanted the ball on his other foot. Murillo was left bloodied after an elbow from Ezri Konsa, and Xavier Schlager needed treatment after an elbow from Havertz. Rice completed 57 of 58 passes in the first half and created three chances.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the team had done something it had not done in the last two seasons at this ground, which was win the game, after a goalless draw there last year. Madueke said they had shown grit, determination and a champion's spirit.
The result takes Arsenal back into second place, three points behind Manchester City. Forest, on one win, two draws and four defeats, are in the bottom three on tiebreakers, and play at Ipswich Town on Friday.
