ARSENAL delivered a commanding performance at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, brushing aside Nottingham Forest 3–0 to maintain their strong start to the Premier League season and prove why their £250 million summer recruitment drive was worth every penny.
Manager Mikel Arteta’s side started with five of their eight summer signings, including headline arrivals Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, who both impressed in a display that underlined the Gunners’ strength in depth.
The Gunners were without key stars Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and William Saliba, while captain Martin Odegaard was forced off with a shoulder injury inside 20 minutes. Last season, such an injury crisis proved costly as Arsenal’s title charge faltered in the run-in.
This time, however, Arteta’s men barely missed a beat. Goals from Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, and an own goal sealed a comfortable victory, keeping Arsenal unbeaten in their first four matches and ensuring they remain yet to concede from open play this campaign.
England international Noni Madueke was arguably Arsenal’s standout performer, tormenting Forest full-back Morato throughout the match. The 23-year-old, fresh from scoring for England in a 5–0 win over Serbia, topped the charts for chances created (5), dribbles completed (4), and duels won (9) proving to be the creative spark Arsenal have been craving on the right flank.
“Noni was exceptional today. You can sense there are new relationships forming on the pitch, which will make us more unpredictable,” Arteta said after the match.
Forest’s defensive reshuffle with Neco Williams switching flanks did little to contain Madueke, as Arsenal directed nearly 45% of their attacks down the right side to exploit his threat.
Arteta explained that the club’s summer spending spree was necessary to cope with the grueling demands of competing domestically and in Europe.
“The players have to play 70 or 74 games throughout the season. It’s never been done. You need more players, you need better players, and you need the ability to change games,” the Arsenal boss said.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown praised the team’s performance on TNT Sports, saying:
“That was a scary show of strength from Arsenal. Last season, losing Saka and Havertz would have been a crisis, but today Madueke, Eze, and Gyokeres stepped up brilliantly.
Even Cristhian Mosquera, on his full debut, was outstanding at the back.”
Arsenal now turn their attention to Europe as they travel to Spain on Tuesday to face Athletic Bilbao in their opening Champions League group match. With their injury list still growing, the depth and versatility of Arteta’s squad will continue to be tested but on this evidence, the Gunners look well-equipped to fight on multiple fronts.
