Arsenal have returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, with goals from Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri.
Saka opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a powerful effort, after he had combined with captain Martin Odegaard just inside the box.
Partey added the second at the start of the second half, curling in from the outside the box after he was found in space.
Young Nwaneri added the gloss, firing home after exchanging with Raheem Sterling, for his first Premier League goal.
It’s a victory that keeps Arsenal in touch with the leaders, closing the gap to just one point behind Manchester City after they lost to Tottenham, while Liverpool will hope to restore their nine-point advantage when they play Southampton.
Here is how VAVEL rated the players:
David Raya – 7
It was Raya's easiest afternoon in a while. The Spaniard did not face a single shot on target. He stayed alert, though, claiming everything that came into the box and quickly out of his box to cut out one Forest attack.
His distribution, too, was excellent. A well-deserved first clean sheet since September.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Another good performance from Timber. He found space regularly in midfield, driving Arsenal forward, and remained relatively untested by Calum Hudson-Odoi. He thought he had his first senior Arsenal goal, but the offside flag was eventually raised.
Mikel Arteta will hope the Dutchman can stay fit, given Ben White’s recent surgery.
William Saliba – 8
The Frenchman didn’t have much to do, but succeeded in dominating an opponent who has given him trouble in the past in Taiwo Awonyi.
The clean sheet is a reward for Gabriel’s continued consistency recently. No issues today for the Brazilian, who continues to be a rock at the back.
Welcome back Riccardo, we missed you. The Italian looked less chaotic than we had become accustomed to before his injury, but his performance was resolute. He dealt well with the pace of Anthony Elanga and got back well to cut out early attacks that could’ve proved dangerous.
His fitness, like Timber’s, will be vital for Arsenal going forward.
Martin Odegaard – 9
Arsenal have looked like an orchestra lacking their orchestrator without Ødegaard. But he is back, and so is his team’s rhythm and coordination.
The Norwegian ran the show in the first half, putting on a masterclass in little flicks and disorientating movement. His combinations with Saka instantly reminded the Arsenal fans what they had missed and his assist for his right-sided partner was ingenious.
Arsenal have missed him so much, and now he is back, things just feel so much better.
Jorginho – 6
It was a rare Premier League start for Jorginho, but he made the most of it. His passing was sharp and kept Arsenal ticking, using his experience to consistently opt for the right option.
Unfortunately, a needless yellow card meant he was substituted at half-time.
Mikel Merino – 7
A good showing from Merino following his display from the bench at Stamford Bridge.
With Ødegaard in the team, Merino looks more willing to make those late runs into the box, but gets stuck into the hard work in midfield too.
Bukayo Saka – 10
Our player of the match. What more can be said about this man?
His goal was sensational, dribbling across the box and powering the ball into the net with that famous left foot. His assist, too, was great.
Four goals and eight assists in the league now this season, and there is just a sense of pure inevitably about what will happen whenever he picks up the ball in space. Alex Moreno will certainly be glad to see the back of him.
Gabriel Jesus – 4
It was unexpected to see Jesus start, and unfortunately the Brazilian failed to take his chance.
He did have some good moments of link-up and went close with a curled shot in the first half, but the touch was rusty, and the hunger still doesn’t look to have returned.
Sadly, there seems to be a clock ticking down on Jesus’ time at Arsenal.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Trossard has received all manner of flack for his performances recently but this was a better display from the Belgian.
He looked sharper and more in tune with his teammates, getting involved in the build-up well.
He may well be out of the team courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli for the next game, but this would’ve been a confidence-boosting afternoon.
Substitutes
Thomas Partey – 8
Partey had just 45 minutes but impressed massively. His goal was expertly taken and his dominance in midfield kept Arsenal in control right to the end.
It will be interesting to see what Arteta decides is his first-choice midfield once Declan Rice returns, but Partey has certainly made his case.
Zinchenko was steady and did his job.
Ethan Nwaneri – 9
Wow, wow, wow.
A first Premier League goal, a fourth goal of the season.
Simply put, this lad has the world at his feet. The talent is enormous, but the mentality is truly incredible. Nwaneri has gone from playing U18s football, to playing a fairly significant role in the Arsenal first team in the space of a year, and has not, at any point, looked even slightly fazed.
When he scored his first two goals in men’s football, he gave a little fist pump. When he scored a screamer on his second start, he casually jogged over to the corner and pointed to the air. And when he scored his first Premier League goal, he jogged over to say thank you to Sterling.
He just wants more and more, and that’s what makes him so different.
Nwaneri’s name rang around the Emirates following his goal, and that won’t be the last time we hear it.
Raheem Sterling – 8
Sterling has probably deserved more minutes than he’s had this season. He’s looked sharp and dangerous and did again today. A great pass to assist Nwaneri.
Jakub Kiwior – N/A
