The Gunners begin their challenge for the 2023-24 Premier League title right here with a Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium. Last season certainly went above expectations for Mikel Arteta’s team… can they last the distance this time?
Certainly, Arsenal’s intentions are clear with Declan Rice the marquee signing of a high-quality summer that has also seen Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, and all three start this afternoon. Eddie Nketiah leads the line for the Gunners in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, with Thomas Partey seemingly starts at right-back as Gabriel drops to the bench in a surprise move.
Forest pulled off an impressive escape from relegation last time out and will have survival on their mind once again. Matt Turner starts for the visitors, just a couple of days after completing his move from Arsenal. Follow Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest LIVE via Standard Sport’s matchday blog, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzia at the stadium.
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38 mins: Nearly 3-0!
Martinelli comes alive on the left wing, skipping away from two blue shirts. Curls a cross into the six-yard box, Nketiah throws himself at it but can’t quite make up the ground.
Odegaard then slides a nice ball through to Nketiah, shot is wide under pressure from Boly.
35 mins: Forest need to be very careful now.
Arsenal up, the crowd are up and this could get very ugly, very quickly. The Gunners are in full flow all of a sudden.
Malik Ouzia at the Emirates Stadium
It’s become a special move for Bukayo Saka, that.
From the moment he pushed it out of his feet and got across Mangala, you knew Forest were in trouble.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest | Bukayo Saka 32′
STUNNING!
Wow. That is outrageously good from Saka.
Forest scramble a corner away, but it’s all very desperate and Arsenal are straight back on the attack. Saka picks it up, drifts inside and curls a glorious strike into the top corner from outside the area.
Malik Ouzia at the Emirates Stadium
An opposition full-back has just been booked for his first foul on Bukayo Saka. Things really have changed this season, haven’t they?
29 mins: Aina slides in, nowhere near the ball and Saka is brought down. Yellow card and Aina knows there is no point complaining about that.
Arsenal with an extra spring in their step now, intensity has stepped up since that goal. Winning it back within seconds whenever they do lose the ball.
Malik Ouzia at the Emirates Stadium
We’ve hardly seen Gabriel Martinelli in the game so far, with most of Arsenal’s play coming down the right but that’s absolutely superb from the Brazilian.
His roulette has just got another ovation as the replay comes up on the big screen.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Nottingham Forest | Eddie Nketiah 26′
ARSENAL TAKE THE LEAD!
Martinelli has been quiet but that is sensational. Stunning piece of skill out on the right, ball comes to Nketiah and his strike beats Turner with the help of a slight deflection.
25 mins: Havertz from 25 yards out, shot blocked immediately.
Just a wall of blue shirts in front of Arsenal, Forest have basically everyone either inside or on the edge of their area. Not making this easy.
Saka works the space on the right, his effort is deflected away for a corner. Near post again? It is but this one does get the flick on… Forest still able to clear.
