Arsenal spoiled Ange Postecoglou’s managerial debut at Nottingham Forest with a dominant 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, as Martin Zubimendi struck twice to guide the Gunners back to the summit of the Premier League.
Zubimendi, making his mark after joining from Real Sociedad in the summer, netted his first goals for Arsenal in a commanding performance. The Spanish midfielder broke the deadlock in the first half and later sealed the win with a well-taken header, either side of Viktor Gyokeres’ clinical finish early in the second half.
The result gave Arsenal their third victory in four league matches, enough to push them above Liverpool on goal difference, with Jurgen Klopp’s side set to face Burnley on Sunday.
Arsenal entered the game with questions to answer following a 1-0 defeat to champions Liverpool before the international break, which had halted their momentum after promising wins against Leeds United and Manchester United. But Mikel Arteta’s men responded with confidence, with Noni Madueke delivering a standout display that kept the Emirates crowd firmly behind the team.
One concern for Arsenal came in the form of captain Martin Odegaard, who was forced off inside 20 minutes after landing awkwardly on his shoulder. He now joins Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and William Saliba on a growing injury list that could test Arteta’s depth in the coming weeks.
For Postecoglou, the return to north London was bittersweet. Just three months after being dismissed by Tottenham—despite guiding them to a Europa League triumph, their first piece of silverware in 17 years—the Australian tactician was back in familiar territory. His new job at Forest came after Nuno Espirito Santo’s dismissal, following a breakdown with owner Evangelos Marinakis, who publicly set lofty expectations for the incoming manager.
However, the former Spurs boss continued his struggles against Arsenal, as Forest remained without a league victory at the Emirates since 1989.
Arsenal’s Control from the Outset
New signing Eberechi Eze was handed his first start since joining from Crystal Palace, while Declan Rice began on the bench. Arsenal immediately imposed themselves, with Mikel Merino, another summer arrival, forcing an early save from Matz Sels after reacting sharply to a loose ball from a free-kick.
Odegaard’s early injury setback did little to slow the Gunners. Arteta’s men remained dangerous from set pieces, with Jurrien Timber heading just wide from Madueke’s corner before Zubimendi opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. Meeting a cleared ball on the volley from the edge of the box, the Spaniard’s strike took a deflection off Murillo and left Sels with no chance.
Gyokeres doubled the lead less than a minute into the second half, finishing neatly from Eze’s low cross. The Swedish striker almost struck again, rattling the post after a flowing move involving Madueke and Eze.
Forest came close to pulling one back through Chris Wood, whose flicked effort clipped the crossbar, but Arsenal’s superiority soon told. In the 79th minute, Zubimendi rose highest to power home Leandro Trossard’s delivery, capping off an emphatic display.
What you should know
Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal’s summer signing from Real Sociedad, played a decisive role with a brace in the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
The win restored Arsenal to the top of the table and highlighted their attacking strength, but the mounting injury crisis, including a fresh setback for captain Martin Odegaard, could pose a challenge for Mikel Arteta in the coming weeks.
For Ange Postecoglou, his Forest debut ended in disappointment as his struggles against Arsenal continued.
