Arsenal (H) 30/01/24

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal

Awoniyi 89'                                   Jesus 65'

                                                       Saka 72'

 

On Tuesday night, a well-rested Arsenal pounced on Forest’s mistakes to grab a 2-1 win at the City Ground.

 

Arsenal’s last game was 10 days prior and after beating a struggling Crystal Palace, they had just over a week to prepare before they came to the Reds’ fortress. However for Forest, they had a busy schedule after having to travel to Bristol last Friday for their FA Cup 4^th round fixture.

 

Forest have good recent history at home against the Gooners, winning in their last 3 attempts. Their hopes were further boosted by the return of star striker Taiwo Awoniyi after he missed the last 2 months through groin injury. A surprise start for Emile Smith-Rowe for Arsenal after he to has had a recent injury spell.

 

The first half favoured Forest and their tactics; a low block then hit the Gooners on the counter. The only real shots of the half came from Gabriel Jesus skimming the crossbar and Murillo getting across to put a shot from Bukayo Saka just wide.

 

The biggest chance fell to Arsenal after a quick break down their left from Martnelli. Saka was running into space down the middle and looked like having a set-on strike at goal after a cross but Harry Toffolo managed to brilliantly come across and block it before putting it out for a corner.

 

Forest stayed strong holding a good shape and managing to see Arsenal’s shots and pressure off.

 

Halftime, 0-0.

 

A returning Taiwo Awoniyi was stripped and warming up away from the rest of the Forest substitutes and there was all of a sudden a buzz amongst the Reds’ fans. He entered the field after a famous ‘Mull Of Kintyre’ to hear his name being chanted all around the City Ground.

 

The first real chance of the second half came after Gabriel Jesus found himself infront of goal, before he fired into Matt Turner’s post just minutes after the ‘keeper had made a great save.

 

Just 8 minutes later, Forest found themselves in defensive trouble after Neco Williams went down trying to gain a free kick. Referee Simon Hooper was having none of it so Arsenal took advantage and took a quick throw in. Gabriel Jesus was in space and Danilo couldn’t cover in time so he fired a low shot at Turner. Embarrassingly for the ‘keeper, he was nut-megged at his near post and Forest found themselves a goal down.

 

Looking to get an equaliser, Gonzalo Montiel tried to get the Reds upfield but following a poor attempt, he gifted the ball to Martin Odegaard on the edge of the centre circle. He played the ball to Jesus on the left who managed to pick out Saka in space on the edge of the box. Morgan Gibbs-White tried to get across but Saka fired into the bottom left and the Gooners had doubled their advantage.

 

When all seemed over for Forest, their Nigerian star fired past David Raya to give the hosts the chance of a late comeback. Montiel headed into the box and following a lucky bounce, Awoniyi turned and shot low into the bottom right corner getting a goal back for Nuno’s men.

 

Forest piled on the pressure to get an equaliser in an added five minutes but after their penalty shout and a missed chance from Awoniyi, the final whistle was blown and Arsenal were taking all three points back to North London.

 

I’m quite annoyed with the result although we’re not expected to get anything from these games. I think we were on course to a 0-0 or maybe even grabbing a 1-0 but mistakes cost us yet again. We should’ve been switched on from the throw-in but Turner shouldn’t have been beaten at that angle. Montiel should’ve also cleared the ball further instead of gifting it straight back when we had an opportunity to attack. Other than the mistakes, we played well and kept a good shape and even had some chances of our own which is a positive. I’m so glad Taiwo is back and him getting on the score sheet is a massive boost before our trip to the south coast.

 

Forest: Turner; Montiel, Omabamidele, Murillo, Toffolo; Danilo, Mangala (Yates 71'); Williams (Elanga 78'), Gibbs-White, Dominguez (Hudon-Odoi 64'); Wood (Awoniyi 45')

 

Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko (Kiwior 90'); Odegaard (Jorginho 90'), Rice, Smith-Rowe (Havertz 71'); Saka, Jesus (Nketiah 78'), Martinelli (Trossard 78')