Nottm Forest v Arsenal
Play By Play
As it so often ends: once more, it's 1-0 to the Arsenal! Finally ending nearly three goalless games against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, the Gunners win it with a late Madueke strike. Taking the Premier League champions back above Brighton into second place - while keeping Forest stuck in the drop zone - their victory was much more about perspiration than inspiration, as they ultimately scored with their lone shot on target. Havertz had missed a couple of half-chances before the break, while Rice and Gabriel both had opportunities after half-time, but it was one of Arteta's substitutes who picked up possession on the left wing with just 10 minutes remaining and fired home a deflected strike. For their part, Forest's barren run on home turf goes on, as they've yet to score a league goal at the City Ground this term. Though they slightly improved after a dogged first half, a modest xG of 0.75 - compared to Arsenal's 1.07 - tells the tale of Glasner's largely cautious approach. Having won by a one-goal margin for the 10th time in their last 18 Premier League games, the Gunners will next head to Bavaria for a Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Forest must at least wait until Friday's clash with Ipswich Town to end their losing streak. That's all from Nottingham, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
FULL-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-1 ARSENAL
Initially caught out of position, Konsa makes a perfectly timed tackle to deny Delap. The Forest striker is momentarily haring in on Raya's goal, but his low shot is blocked at source by Arsenal's recovering defender.
CLOSE! So close to one of the goals of the season so far! In the first minute of at least three added for stoppages, Murillo dances past Saka and Konsa, then away from Rice in the box, before driving a right-foot shot narrowly over the top-right corner! Is that Forest's last chance gone?
Calafiori steps over Madueke's low cross from the left, allowing Forest to stop an attack and drive forward. They manage to carve open a half-chance for Wood, who fatally slows on the edge of Arsenal's box and then shoots straight at the nearest defender.
After improving substantially at the start of this second half, Nottingham Forest are now struggling to retrieve the ball. Arsenal are confidently keeping possession in midfield, as another three-point haul comes within sight.
The direct Hudson-Odoi is also sent on, with McAtee making way.
With time running out to salvage something from this game, Glasner plays his final cards. First, Cunha makes way for veteran striker Wood.
Rather than Forest fighting back, it seems more like Arsenal could get a second goal here. Cunha is struggling with an injury, while other home players are suddenly looking very tired.
Quickly switching play from the edge of the box, Rice finds Madueke on the left wing, and the fleet-footed sub then does the rest. That's already four Premier League assists for Rice this season.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!! ARSENAL FINALLY BREAK THE DEADLOCK! Madueke's deflected strike puts the Gunners 1-0 up! When Rice sends the substitute away down the left, he sidesteps a tiring Munoz before lashing a fierce drive into the right side of the net via a defender's thigh. Once again, it's 1-0 to the Arsenal!
Rather desperately, Saka elects to swing a curling 20-yard shot towards the target. It briefly causes some consternation in the Forest defence, before Sels comes to claim it.
Odegaard delivers a free-kick from the right flank, but Arsenal's set-piece accuracy is below par once again. It's easy for Forest to clear, and the finish line is almost in sight.
Arsenal are still awaiting their first shot on target. So, this is the first time since October 2023 that they've failed to have a attempt on target within the first 70 minutes of a Premier League match.
Meanwhile, in midfield, Sangare takes the place of Dominguez.
Glasner now turns to his bench, making two changes to his inevitably tiring side. First, Ndoye is replaced by Kalimuendo.
MISS! When Timber links up nicely with Odegaard on the right, suddenly there's some space in the Forest box. The substitute's neat cutback is perfectly placed for Rice, but the latter then shoves his first-time shot over the bar - he had to hit the target from there!
Arsenal have won 14 of their last 17 Premier League games, with nine of those wins coming via a one-goal margin. Can the Gunners claim maximum points in similar circumstances today?
Schlager frees Delap with a perceptive first-time pass, but after charging forward to the edge of Arsenal's area, the big striker slips and can only send a stretching shot tamely towards Raya.
CHANCE! Rice gets his delivery right this time, curling over an inviting corner-kick from the left. Leaping like a salmon, Gabriel rises highest to meet it, but his close-range header rises over the crossbar!
Finally, there's a straight swap up front: Havertz makes way for Gyokeres.
Often good for a goal off the bench, Merino will offer more attacking threat than Bruno Guimaraes.
Arteta has lost patience with his one-paced side, and Arsenal are making a triple change. First, Timber replaces White at right-back.
Inadvertently, Ndoye and Gabriel collide in the Arsenal area, with both taking a blow to the head. Fortunately, neither is badly hurt, so the game quickly goes on.
More frustration for Arsenal. Rice sees a threatening corner headed clear of the six-yard box, before Odegaard sends a searching throughball straight out of play, over the left byline.
