Arsenal reclaimed top spot in the Premier League after knocking out Nottingham Forest with Reiss Nelson the unlikely brace in their defeat. Nelson proved a more than useful replacement for the injured Bukayo Saka with the winger, who spent last season on loan at Feyenoord, scoring twice in the space of three minutes early in the second half to propel the ‘Arsenal to their biggest win of the season. season
Despite lasting just 27 minutes, Saka still created the opener with Gabriel Martinelli heading home to put to rest any notions of travel fatigue from Mikel Arteta’s supporters. Nelson made the most of his rare chance with a quick-fire brace before Thomas Partey electrified the Emirates with a powerful strike.
Martin Ødegaard added the fifth goal for the rampant hosts to complete a dreadful afternoon for Forest. In truth, Steve Cooper’s panic-stricken side never really threatened Arsenal and the gulf was predictably wide between the top and bottom clubs in the league.
Arteta returned to the side that started in last weekend’s draw at Southampton following a midweek Europa League defeat to PSV Eindhoven. Forest’s only change from the side that stunned Liverpool last week was the promotion of Renan Lodi to defense in place of Neco Williams.
Any suggestion that Arsenal’s heavy workload from Thursday Night Football was starting to take its toll was quickly dispelled by their strong start. It was an impressive response to their poor performance in the Netherlands and this one-sided game boosted their hopes of a top spot at Christmas. Trips to Chelsea and Wolves before the World Cup break will test Arsenal’s resolve, but Manchester City are kept honest by a side that have won 10 of their opening 12 league games.
Arsenal opened the scoring from their first attack of the game with Forest’s game plan going out the window within five minutes. Saka curled in a proper cross from the right and Martinelli planted his header past Dean Henderson. Martinelli ran to the corner flag and held up a shirt bearing Pablo Marí’s name in a tribute to the Arsenal defender, after he was stabbed during a knife attack at a supermarket in Milan on Thursday night .
Gabriel Martinelli and Granit Xhaka hold up a Pablo Marí shirt after Arsenal’s first goal against Nottingham Forest. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
Forest set themselves up for a long afternoon and Gabriel Jesus fired a shot at the far post. Cooper knew the chances were slim and Remo Freuler’s long-range shot was fired straight into the arms of Aaron Ramsdale.
Saka appeared to be battling a knock, having gone down awkwardly under a challenge from Lodi, but the England striker continued after treatment.
Martinelli was denied a second goal after being set up by Granit Xhaka, with the Brazilian’s low shot blocked on the line by Lodi. Saka fired the rebound over the crossbar, but the winger still looked aggravated by his injury. It wasn’t long before he went down again and Nelson replaced him at half-time.
Forest’s struggle to make any attacking forays was summed up by Jesse Lingard’s wild tackle drifting desperately wide of the mark. Ødegaard set up Jesus for another attempt, but his ferocious strike lifted harmlessly over Henderson’s crossbar.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka receives treatment before being substituted in the first half. Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Arsenal found themselves in trouble before the break, with Gabriel Magalhães’ wayward pass straight into Lingard’s path, but his shot went wide. Xhaka required treatment after a late challenge on Morgan Gibbs-White resulted in a booking for the Forest striker, but the Swiss midfielder was able to continue playing.
The home team started the second half explosively with Xhaka releasing Jesus who played in Nelson. His first attempt was saved by Henderson but the rebound fell perfectly for him to head home the rebound.
Start your evenings with The Guardian’s opinion on the world of football
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertisements and content funded by third parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Nelson’s remarkable impact from the bench, in his first Premier League appearance since the opening day of last season, was marked within a couple of minutes. The 22-year-old fired home his second goal from close range after Jesus was brought down.
Arsenal were in complete control and Forest had no answer to the onslaught of attacks. Partey was next in on the act, firing a stunning strike from the edge of the box past the flailing arms of Henderson after the excellent Nelson turned provider.
Shortly after it should have been 5-0, but Jesus missed the target after falling on goal. Jesus, who was a constant threat, had another chance to score but Henderson sprinted off his line to block the effort.
However, Arsenal didn’t have to wait long for a fifth goal, with Jesus getting to Ødegaard and the captain curling a shot into the roof of the net.
There have already been some horror shows this season for Forest – conceding six goals at Manchester City and losing 4-0 at Leicester – with this one to add to the list. Their recent defensive improvements were undone by Arsenal’s alarm.
This was Arsenal’s training session and a Ben White header from a corner almost allowed Jesus to score the goal his game deserved, but the striker couldn’t touch the ball at the far post . His wait for a first goal since early October against Tottenham continues.
For Forest, it was a poignant experience and Arsenal will have few easier afternoons as they extended their unblemished record at the Emirates Stadium this season.