Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Saka and Jesus goals
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal: Gunners close gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool after surviving a late comeback from the hosts when Taiwo Awoniyi pulled one back
Arsenal overcame a sluggish first-half performance to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points after a 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest. The Gunners looked toothless in the first half, but rallied to register three big points thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka. The result leaves them on the coattails of Liverpool, who can extend their lead back to five points against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Forest had no intention of going for the win in a pragmatic approach deployed by Nuno Espirito Santo, but they made a game of it late on as Taiwo Awoniyi slammed home in the 89th minute. Arsenal saw it out to end a three-game losing streak at the City Ground and exorcise the ghosts of last season’s defeat, which saw their title challenge come to an end.
Forest’s situation at the foot of the Premier League is looking precarious, as they sit two points above the relegation zone with the threat of a points deduction for breaking financial rules hanging over them. Follow live reaction from Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal in tonight’s live blog, below.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
85 mins: And the moment where Arsenal finally took charge. The Gunners have done well to stay patient tonight but they needed Jesus to break Forest’s resistance.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
79 mins: Looking ahead to Sunday already? Gabriel Jesus is brought off with 10 minutes or so to go and he is replaced by Eddie Nketiah.
Leandro Trossard is on too after replacing Martinelli and whistles a shot just past the post.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
76 mins: Arsenal have really turned it on after the break and that second goal is a sucker-punch for Forest.
Arteta knew it with his celebration.
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal (SAKA 72’)
STUNNING ARSENAL GOAL ON THE BREAK!
The Gunners turn defence into attack after clearing the corner - Montiel is the last one back and is dispossessed cheaply. From there, Arsenal are lethal. Odegaard finds Jesus, whose pass to Saka is perfectly timed. Saka drills in the finish on his right foot.
And that should be three points.
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal
70 mins: Emile Smith Rowe is replaced by Kai Havertz with Arsenal defending a corner. White heads clear.
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal (JESUS 65’)
BREAKTHROUGH! How has Jesus squeezed this in?? It’s a stunning finish from the Brazilian but Matt Turner shakes his head after letting one slip in between his legs. It’s magic from Jesus, though, taking a throw-in on the run and turning to get to the byline. But the goalkeeper needed to do better and has had a shocker against his former team.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
61 mins: Callum Hudson-Odoi is getting ready to come on for Forest - the former Chelsea winger should give the hosts more threat as the game starts to open up.
Arsenal are improving but they need more.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
56 mins: OFF THE POST! So much better from Arsenal! This is a lovely move, as Saka tees up Odegaard and the captain slips in Jesus. The striker slams his shot towards the near post but smashes the woodwork!
So close.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
52 mins: SAVE! Slowly enough, this game is coming to life. Saka hacks a shot on target which took a deflection off Toffolo - and Turner is required to stick out his arm and make the stop.
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