Arsenal coasted to a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates. The Gunners had most of the possession in the early stages of the game. Mikel Merino would have expected to have put the home side in the lead, but his close-range effort was saved incredibly by Forest keeper Matz Sels. In the end, the degree of pressure Arsenal put on Forest was too much. Forest cleared a corner, but only as far as Martin Zubimendi on the edge of the penalty area, who sent a controlled, dipping volley past Selz into the net. Arsenal went into the break no doubt disappointed to only be a single goal up.
Meanwhile, Forest would have been glad of the rest bite of the half-time break. Although it did not appear to do them any good. Seconds into the second half, Eberechi Eze got down the left wing after Nicola Savone completely misjudged the flight of the ball. Eze's first time half-volleyed cross was met first time by Victor Gyokeres to make it 2-0. A simply awful start for Forest, but for Arsenal it is exactly what they wanted. That set the tone for the second period, with Forest simply unable to gain any ground.
If there was any skepticism of the arrival of Noni Madueke, it would no doubt have been put to bed today. He got a hearty round of applause as he was replaced by Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners' dominance was completed when Zubimendi made it 3-0 with a fine header.
Arsenal v Nottingham Forest - Match Statistics
Arsenal
55%
16
5
8
1
1
Match Highlights
Arsenal Player Ratings
MixCollage-13-Sep-2025-01-18-PM-2689 GK: David Raya - 6.5/10
Rarely tested as Arsenal dominated the ball and the goal-scoring chances. But was still called upon to make saves after long periods spent as a spectator.
RB: Jurrien Timber - 6.5/10
Got forward and had further opportunities to increase his goal tally for the Gunners. Was also in the right place to deny Forest when they attacked.
CB: Cristhian Mosquera - 6/10
Had to remain focused as Arsenal so often had the ball, but looked fairly comfortable.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes - 6.5/10
Arsenal needed his experience at the back as Forest still had the occasional sniff at goal.
LB: Riccardo Calafiori - 6.5/10
Looked accomplished and comfortable without ever being fully tested.
RM: Martin Odegaard - 5/10
A very disappointing afternoon for the Norwegian, as he was substituted just before the 20-minute mark with a shoulder problem.
CM: MartÃn Zubimendi - 8/10
Scored a truly magnificent volley to put the Gunners into the lead in the first half.
LM: Mikel Merino - 6/10
Was on the end of a few passing moves and would have scored were it not for Sels in the Forest goal.
RW: Noni Madueke - 7.5/10
Looked a real threat in the first-half, and made life very difficult for Forest. A player in real form.
CF: Viktor Gyokeres - 7/10
Made no mistake from Eze's cross to double Arsenal's lead seconds into the second-half. A player growing in confidence in an Arsenal shirt.
LW: Eberechi Eze - 7.5/10
Made his cross for Arsenal's goal look easy. No doubt Gyokeres was delighted with the early cross into the box.
SUB: Ethan Nwaneri - 6.5/10
Another Arsenal player who looked very comfortable on the ball and a capable replacement for Odegaard.
SUB: Myles Lewis-Skelly - 6/10
Given a run out with the game all but over as a contest.
SUB: Declan Rice - 6/10
Put on late to give the Gunners fresh legs in the middle.
SUB: Leandro Trossard - 6/10
Was his usual busy self in the closing stages of the game.
Nottingham Forest Player Ratings
Matz Sels GK: Matz Sels - 7/10
Made an exceptional close range save from Merino in the first half to keeo Forest in the game.
RB: Nico Williams - 6/10
A bust day for the full-back as Forest got a stranglehold on the game.
CB: Nikola Milenkovic - 7/10
Had to make a number of last-ditch challenges to keep his side in the game.
CB: Murillo - 6.5/10
Was kept very busy but had to be taken off injured before half-time.
LB: Morato - 5.5/10
Had a difficult time in the game when trying to deal with Noni Madueke. Very relieved to slot in at centre back after Murillo came off injured.
DM: Ibrahim Sangare - 5.5/10
Was put under a lot of pressure as the home side created a variety of goal-scoring chances.
DM: Elliot Anderson - 6.5/10
Looked very assured in possession and had to be as Arsenal took the game to Forest.
RW: Dan Ndoye - 5.5/10
Made himself available, but like many of his Forest teammates, he had a challenging afternoon.
AM: Morgan Gibbs-White - 6.5/10
Showed his ability in the few attacks Forest had in the game.
LW: Callum Hudson-Odoi - 5.5/10
Has one of Forest's most presentable opportunities but failed to take advantage.
CF: Chris Wood - 5.5/10
Starved of service and might be questioning why he rushed back from the other side of the world from international duty. But did very nearly get on the score-sheet.
SUB: Nicola Savona - 5/10
Came on for the injured Murillo and slotted in at full-back, much to the relief of Morato. Was at fault for Arsenal's second goal.
SUB: Arnaud Kalimuendo - 5.5/10
Given the last 30 minutes, but Forest simply could not do anything with the team and nor could Kalimuendo.
SUB: Dilane Bakwa - 5.5/10
Replaced Hudson-Odoi on the sixty-minute mark. Showed some nice touches without having a significant impact on the game.
SUB: Ryan Yates - 6/10
The Forest stalwart replaced the ineffective Sangare with 17 minutes left on the clock.
SUB: James McAtee - 5.5/10
A late run out for the England under 21 star, but he was another player who was unable to truly shine.