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 0-0 Arsenal
48 mins: Space opens up for Martinelli on the left and he can run into the Forest box for what feels like the first time. He tries too much in beating Omobamidele and Murillo clears.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
45 mins: Back underway! Forest have made a change, with Taiwo Awoniyi back for Forest and replacing Chris Wood at the break.
HALF TIME! Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal with just one shot on target despite having 81 per cent possession...
HALF TIME! Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
It’s not been a classic, but Forest have made it to half-time with the game goalless.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
45+3 mins: The final few seconds... Odegaard picks out Jesus at the back post and Turner is required to tip the striker’s header over the bar.
Is there time for the corner... no! That’s half-time.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
44 mins: Chance! Zinchenko works his way into the Forest box before the ball breaks to Saka. The winger takes a sing with his right foot but Montiel is able to stretch out a leg to block, and the ball goes out for a corner.
Forest clear.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
41 mins: A shot from Forest! Arsenal lose the ball on the half-way line and space opens up for Danilo to run forward. He tries his luck from 20 or so yards but his effort fizzes over the bar without troubling Raya.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
35 mins: And now Sheffield United are winning as well, at Crystal Palace. The table is looking difficult for Forest at the moment, but they are managing to hold Arsenal.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
30 mins: Half an hour in, Arsenal have completed over 100 passes in the final third. Forest have completed... 1.
Smith Rowe finds himself on the edge of the box in space... he takes the shot on his right foot, but it’s wild and over the bar.
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