Key Takeaways:
- Arsenal claimed a 1-0 win at the City Ground last night, securing their ninth triumph in the last twelve Premier League meetings with Nottingham Forest
- Noni Madueke provided the winner with ten minutes left, his shot deflecting past Matz Sels after clever play
- With this result, Arsenal move within three points of leaders Manchester City, while Forest remain in the relegation zone following a third consecutive defeat
Match Analysis
Arsenal reclaimed second position in the Premier League table on the back of a narrow 1-0 victory away to Nottingham Forest. Mikel Arteta’s side saw plenty of the ball from the outset, but were continually frustrated by resilient defending from the hosts, who sought to break forward through Liam Delap. Early flashes included Matz Sels pushing away a cross from Bukayo Saka, while David Raya was called upon to save from Dan Ndoye after a sequence initiated by a Riccardo Calafiori error.
🎶 ONE-NIL TO THE ARSENAL 🎶 https://t.co/CXWmdy38rX
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 18, 2026
Play was temporarily halted as Murillo required treatment for a head knock, after which he returned promptly to test Gabriel Magalhaes and block a dangerous backheel. The Brazilian defender later stopped a Delap effort at the other end before Kai Havertz twice came close for Arsenal – first sending a header wide from a Declan Rice set-piece and then finding only the side netting.
Forest pressed for an opening when Delap won a free-kick near the edge of the area, only for Bruno Guimaraes to get ahead of Neco Williams’ follow-up shot. Murillo tried an acrobatic bicycle kick before the interval, but Raya was equal to his attempt.
Second Half and Decisive Goal
Mikel Arteta introduced Noni Madueke after the break in search of greater attacking impetus, but it was Nottingham Forest who threatened first, when Kai Havertz handled a James McAtee shot, though McAtee subsequently fired the free-kick over the bar. Delap saw another attempt deflected wide amidst sustained pressure, while Murillo’s header from the resulting corner failed to trouble Raya.
The Gunners looked to their bench again as Arteta made a triple substitution, with Gabriel soon heading over the bar and Jurrien Timber setting up Declan Rice, who could not keep his shot down.
The deadlock was finally broken with ten minutes remaining: Madueke weaved past Daniel Munoz and unleashed a powerful effort that, via a deflection off Cunha, beat Sels in the Forest goal. Arsenal’s determination was highlighted in the closing stages as Rice blocked a Chris Wood strike, ultimately ensuring a third successive victory for the visitors in all competitions.
Arsenal now stand just three points adrift of leaders Manchester City, tightening the title race, whilst Nottingham Forest’s defeat leaves them in the drop zone, having lost three straight matches in the league.
