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
22 mins: Meanwhile, Luton - who are Nottingham Forest’s rivals in the relegation battle - have gone two goals up against Brighton inside just four minutes...
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
18 mins: Arsenal are completely dominating here. Forest are offered some brief respite as Matt Turner gets some treatment after a knock, but Nuno’s side are offering nothing apart from defending their box.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
14 mins: CLOSE! Arsenal threaten again! Zinchenko makes a clever run and pokes the ball through to Smith Rowe, who looks for Jesus in the middle. It’s deflected over the bar by Murillo, but only just.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
13 mins: Oooh - that’s better from Arsenal. Suddenly the Gunners inject some pace into their attack as Saka drives into the box and Jesus flicks a back-heel into Odegaard’s path. The captain’s shot is blocked.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
11 mins: Arsenal get their first chance to swing a corner into the box, but former Gunners stopper Matt Turner is able to punch away Saka’s cross.
Arsenal added two more set-piece goals in their last match against Crystal Palace and lead the division in that category.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
8 mins: Arsenal controlling the early exchanges - but unable to work a way into the Forest box so far. Forest setting up to counter-attack against the visitors.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
4 mins: Mangala slips in Forest’s defensive third but Odegaard can’t squeeze his pass through to Smith Rowe before running out for a goal-kick.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
2 mins: Arsenal enjoying plenty of early possesion in the Forest half. Loud chants of the ‘Saka and Smith Rowe’ chant from the away end.
KICK OFF! Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
1 min: UNDERWAY at the City Ground.
Martin Odegaard kicks off for the visitors.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments