Noni Madueke's deflected shot in the 80th minute gave Arsenal a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday 18 October. The result moves Arsenal up to second, three points behind Manchester City.
A late goal after a long wait
Arsenal had about 75% of the possession, according to NBC Sports, but did not register a shot on target until the goal, according to AFP. It was their first Premier League match since 2023 without a shot on target in the first 70 minutes, AFP said.
Madueke, who had replaced Eberechi Eze at half-time, cut in from the left and shot from a sharp angle. The effort took a deflection off Jair Cunha's leg and Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels could not react. It was Arsenal's only shot on target, according to Sky Sports.
Arsenal did create openings before then. Kai Havertz and Gabriel both went close without hitting the target, according to Sky Sports and AFP, and Declan Rice went close on 73 minutes after an overlapping run from Jurrien Timber, according to NBC Sports and AFP.
Highlights of Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Eze comes off, and the bench decides it
Eze made a rare start, according to NBC Sports, and was replaced by Madueke at half-time. Mikel Arteta said afterwards, as reported by Goal, that Forest's low block and lack of space in behind made it hard for Eze to find room, and that he wanted players with different qualities to adapt to the game. Goal also reported that Eze had no recorded shot or successful dribble in his 45 minutes.
Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyökeres and Timber also came on in the second half, according to AFP. Bruno Guimarães, in only his second league start since his summer move from Newcastle, was substituted, according to AFP.
Forest threaten without reward
Oliver Glasner's side defended in a low block, according to Goal, and Liam Delap shot wide in the second half, according to Sky Sports and AFP. After going behind, Forest created three good chances, none of them on target, according to NBC Sports.
In the 89th minute Callum Hudson-Odoi set up Chris Wood, whose left-footed shot Rice blocked, according to Sky Sports. NBC Sports said Wood hesitated over which foot to use, which gave Rice time to get across. Morgan Gibbs-White was unable to play for Forest, according to NBC Sports. Glasner said the result was unfair on his side and that Arsenal's only shot on target was the one that deflected in, according to Sky Sports.
Madueke and Arteta on the win
Madueke said he went inside his defender and shot, as quoted by NBC Sports.
We showed grit, determination, and I think we showed a champion's spirit here.
Noni Madueke, as quoted by NBC Sports
Arteta said the margins were small, according to Sky Sports and NBC Sports, and that Arsenal had to take risks because Forest were dangerous on the counter, according to Goal. He also said Arsenal had three further chances that should have been on target, according to Sky Sports.
What the result changes
Arsenal are second on 18 points, three behind City and two ahead of Brighton, according to NBC Sports and Sky Sports. They have won six of their seven league matches and three in a row since the 3-0 defeat at Brighton on 19 September, according to AFP.
Forest have five points from seven games, with one win, two draws and four defeats, according to NBC Sports and Sky Sports. They have failed to score in any of their home league games this season, according to Sky Sports.
Arsenal next face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday 21 October, then host Everton in the Premier League, according to NBC Sports. Forest travel to Ipswich Town on Friday 23 October.
