After losing to PSV Eindhoven on Thursday in the Europa League, Arsenal defeated Nottingham Forest on Sunday to reclaim first place in the Premier League.
Before England’s Bukayo Saka, who had set up the first goal, had to leave the game due to injury, Gabriel Martinelli had put the Gunners in the lead with a header.
Four minutes after the restart, Reiss Nelson, Saka’s substitute, extended the advantage with his first Arsenal goal since November 2020 before immediately adding a second.
As Arsenal regained a two-point advantage over Manchester City at the top with goals from Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard, Forest remained in last place following their eighth loss of the year.
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Despite Saka’s injury, Arsenal dominates
After taking a hefty tackle from Renan Lodi in the first minute, Saka recovered to set up Martinelli, but the 21-year-old needed medical attention again before being substituted in the 27th.
Even while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta indicated the winger would “hopefully not” be in danger of missing the World Cup, the image of Saka walking straight down to the tunnel after being replaced will worry England supporters only three weeks before the tournament begins.
Nelson grasped the chance to shine on his first Premier League appearance since the season’s first game, while Saka showed promise before being taken off the field.
After Dean Henderson blocked his first shot, the 22-year-old, who spent the 2021–22 season on loan at Feyenoord, put distance between the clubs with a goal with his second try.
Nelson scored his second goal in three minutes after waiting almost two years for an Arsenal goal when he headed a Gabriel Jesus cross into the far corner.
Nelson then took over as the provider, setting up Partey for a spectacular right-footed drive into Henderson’s top corner before Odegaard slammed in a fifth to conclude a commanding Arsenal performance.