Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest – Premier League Match Report

Date: Saturday, 13 September 2025
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Attendance: (Typical near-capacity)
Referee: (Noted but not a big factor)

Arsenal made a statement at home, securing a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in their latest Premier League fixture. A dominant performance, impressive finishing, and moments of concern in the injury department gave this match a complex narrative — one of control, depth, and also looming risks for the Gunners.

Table of Contents

First Half: Arsenal Takes Command

From the kick-off, Arsenal asserted dominance in possession and tempo. They were patient, probing around the edges, shifting the ball, drawing Forest’s defenders out, and looking for openings. Forest, under new management, seemed a bit tentative; their defensive shape held reasonably, but they were stretched when Arsenal moved the ball quickly.

The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute. Martin Zubimendi, making waves, struck a spectacular volley into the top corner, giving Arsenal the lead. The build-up was well executed: a move transitioning nicely through midfield, with Zubimendi finding space, timing his run, and executing with precision. That goal served as a turning point: it forced Forest to take more risks, while Arsenal were able to dominate psychologically and numerically in midfield.

However, not everything was perfect. Captain Martin Ødegaard took a heavy fall and re-injured his shoulder (the same one injured previously). He tried to continue but the concern was obvious. His early departure weakened Arsenal’s creative fulcrum. Still, the depth of the squad meant they could absorb the shock without immediately losing their shape or momentum.

Forest, to their credit, did defend in blocks, tried to counter, but their forward players found very little room. Arsenal’s pressing, especially in midfield, prevented many of Forest’s transitions from gaining speed or coherence.

Second Half: Clinical Finishing and Putting It to Bed

The second half opened almost immediately with Arsenal doubling the lead. Within a minute of the restart, Eberechi Eze pounced on a defensive error from Forest — a slip, a lack of communication perhaps — and laid the ball into Viktor Gyokeres, who tapped in for his third goal of the season. The timing was perfect: just when Forest would have hoped to regroup during halftime, they were chasing the game.

After that, Arsenal continued to dominate. Forest tried to respond, bringing on substitutes, pushing defenders forward, but the chances they created were limited and more hopeful than refined. Arsenal, meanwhile, remained disciplined; for all their attacking thrusts, they didn’t leave themselves dangerously exposed at the back.

The third goal came in the 79th minute. Zubimendi again on the scoresheet, this time with a header from a well-measured cross by Leandro Trossard. That effectively killed the contest. From that point, Arsenal controlled possession comfortably, seeing the clock down, making substitutions, avoiding unnecessary risks.

Standout Players & Tactical Notes

Martin Zubimendi: A double scorer, and both goals were of high quality — first a volley (attacking instinct, timing) and then a header (positioning, aerial threat). A man of the match performance. His presence adds another dimension to Arsenal’s attack.
Viktor Gyokeres: Took his chance well, deadly in front of goal. The forward line is looking more dangerous with him coming into form.
Eberechi Eze: While not scoring, his involvement in the build-up for the second goal and overall movement in midfield bring creativity and unpredictability.
Defensive solidity: Arsenal kept a clean sheet, Forest created practically nothing of note. David Raya, in goal, had some involvement but was relatively untroubled after the early pressure was dealt with. The back line, despite some expected challenges given injuries, held firm.

On the flip side, the injury to Martin Ødegaard casts a shadow. Losing a captain and creative hub is non-trivial, especially with Arsenal facing tough fixtures ahead. How crucial that injury is (in terms of time missed) will shape talk in media and among fans.

Forest’s Performance: Problems and Adjustments

Defensive Errors & Lack of Sharpness: The second-half error that led to the Gyokeres goal was symptomatic of a side still finding cohesion. New manager Ange Postecoglou has had only limited time to imprint his style.
Lack of Threat: Forest struggled to generate good chances. Their attacks were either broken up early or lacked penetration. Their forwards often found themselves isolated.
Resilience but Inefficiency: When pressed, Forest defended in numbers and tried to force Arsenal into mistakes, but Arsenal’s discipline and control minimized openings.
Psychological Impact: Going in 0-1 down, then conceding again so early after halftime, hurts morale. Once Arsenal get control, it’s hard to break them down.

Tactical Breakdown

Arsenal’s Structure: Balanced and flexible. Midfield press disrupted Forest’s build-up. Wide players held width, stretched Forest’s defense. Full backs supported overlapping runs. Set pieces also well utilized (as seen in the third goal).
Forest’s Formation & Strategy: Cautious at first, trying to absorb pressure. Weakened by lack of creative outlet and limited ability to sustain counter-attacks. When they tried to press, they often lost shape and got exposed, especially down the flanks.
Momentum Shifts: The pattern was: Arsenal dominate → Forest attempt to settle → Arsenal goal → Forest forced to chase → second goal just after restart hurts → third kills off suspense.

Statistics & Numbers (Key Metrics)

Possession: Arsenal dominated possession, likely in the 60-70% range, keeping Forest chasing.
Shots / Shots on Target: Arsenal ended with multiple shots on target; Forest very few, maybe none that seriously troubled Raya after the opening phases.
Expected Goals (xG): Arsenal’s xG would have been significantly higher than Forest’s, reflecting not just goals, but quality of chances created.
Set Pieces, Crosses, Aerial Duels: Arsenal made good use of set plays (especially the third goal) and Romero Trossard’s cross for Zubimendi’s header was key. Their aerial presence should be noted as a weapon.

Impact & Implications

On the Title Race: The win gives Arsenal momentum and confidence. It allows them to collect three points, move up in the table, and build a buffer. For title contenders, such decisive home wins are essential.
Squad Depth Validated: Despite injuries (notably Ødegaard), Arsenal showed they can maintain a high level. Players like Eze, Zubimendi, Gyokeres are stepping up. Substitutes making impact.
Forest’s Moment of Transition: Because of the recent managerial change, they’ll need time to adjust. This match exposes areas of concern: creativity in midfield, risk management when chasing the game, set piece defense.

Looking Ahead

Arsenal will be hoping that Ødegaard’s injury isn’t serious. They have upcoming fixtures where creativity and leadership will be required.
The confidence boost from this win will be helpful, especially ahead of any midweek or cup ties.
For Forest, regrouping is essential. They will need to learn from the lapses, defend more cohesively, and perhaps approach first half tactics differently when facing teams like Arsenal who dominate in possession.

Final Thoughts

This match illustrated what Arsenal is becoming: a side blending attacking flair, clinical finishing, depth in squad, and defensive discipline. When everything clicks, they are capable of dominating top teams. However, the shadow of injury to Ødegaard reminds us that even well-prepared teams have vulnerabilities.

For Nottingham Forest, this match underscores the distance still to go. A tough away fixture, yes, but some of their vulnerabilities are tactical or psychological, not just personnel.

Score: Arsenal 3, Nottingham Forest 0
Man of the Match: Martin Zubimendi.

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