Arsenal entertained Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium earlier this afternoon as they looked to secure a good result at home in the Premier League. The Gunners made a bright start to the game and got their noses ahead in the fifth minute courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli’s goal. Mikel Arteta’s men controlled the game well and went into the half-time break 1-0 up on the scoreline.
Reiss Nelson scored a quick-fire brace early in the second half before Thomas Partey found the back of the net with an excellent strike in the 57th minute to put Arsenal 4-0 up on the scoreline. Martin Odegaard put the icing on the cake when he got his name on the scoresheet as well in the 78th minute. The contest ended with the North London club earning an impressive 5-0 victory in front of their home fans.
Let’s take a look at how each Arsenal player fared during the match against Nottingham Forest.
GK: Aaron Ramsdale – 7/10
The English keeper made a couple of solid saves during the game and secured a well-deserved clean sheet today.
RB: Ben White – 7/10
White made a couple of important clearances at the back and was a threat going forward.
CB: William Saliba – 7.5/10
The French defender made a few crucial defensive contributions and engineered one good chance in the opponent’s half.
CB: Gabriel – 7/10
The Brazilian centre-back did what was required of him inside his half and would be happy with the clean sheet.
LB: Takehiro Tomiyasu – 7/10
He was solid when defending at the back and made one decent chance in the final third.
CM: Martin Odegaard – 8.5/10
Odegaard created a lot of inviting chances for others around him and did well to find the back of the net in the 78th minute.
CM: Thomas Partey – 8/10
He protected his backline well and scored a superb goal in the second half to put Arsenal 4-0 up on the day.
CM: Granit Xhaka – 6.5/10
The Swiss international orchestrated two good chances for his teammates and got replaced in the 74th minute.
RW: Bukayo Saka – 7/10
Saka picked up an assist for setting up Martinelli’s goal but was forced off with an injury midway through the first half.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – 9/10
The Brazilian striker caused all sorts of problems for the Nottingham defenders and has got two assists to show for his efforts. He did everything but score today.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – 8/10
Martinelli gave Arsenal the all-important lead early in the game and was a real menace down the left flank. He got substituted after the hour mark.
Substitutes:
RW: Reiss Nelson – 9/10
He came off the bench and scored two early goals in the second half. Nelson has even got an assist to his name.
RB: Cedric Soares – 6/10
Soares kept things tidy at the back.
CM: Fabio Viera – 6/10
He added more energy to Arteta’s midfield.
ST: Eddie Nketiah – 6/10
The English striker failed to register a goal.
LB: Kieran Tierney – 6/10
He didn’t do much wrong in the game.
