Noni Madueke (Credits: BBC Sport)
Substitute Noni Madueke rescued a toothless Arsenal with a deflected 80th-minute strike, earning the champions a hard-fought 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground and keeping them within touching distance of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
After 80 frustrating minutes, Madueke cut inside from the left and fired towards goal. His strike deflected off Jair Cunha, wrong-footed goalkeeper Matz Sels and found the net — settling a game in which Arsenal had struggled to turn possession into chances. It was the Gunners’ only shot on target of the entire afternoon.
A Frustrating Afternoon in Nottingham
Arsenal dominated the ball but registered no shots on target in the first half. Kai Havertz headed wide from a Declan Rice free-kick, while Gabriel’s set-piece effort was cleared almost off the line by Ousmane Diomande. Forest made life difficult for Mikel Arteta’s side, defending resolutely under Oliver Glasner and threatening on the counter — Dan Ndoye shot into the side netting after capitalising on a Riccardo Calafiori error.
Arteta replaced Eberechi Eze, who had been handed his first Premier League start of the season, with Madueke at half-time in a bid to inject energy — a decision vindicated in the 80th minute when Declan Rice slipped a pass through and the winger delivered the winner.
Forest Sinking Into the Relegation Zone
Forest almost salvaged a point in stoppage time through a superb solo run from Murillo, who drove at the Arsenal defence before curling narrowly wide. Ezri Konsa then made a crucial late challenge to deny Liam Delap, ensuring Arsenal held on.
The result takes Arsenal to 18 points, three behind leaders Manchester City. For Forest, the frustration deepens: they drop into the relegation zone, suffer a third league defeat in a row, and are still waiting for their first home league goal of the season.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
