Noni Madueke’s late deflection gives Arsenal win at Nottingham Forest

Arsenal maintained the pressure on Manchester City with a 1-0 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday, Noni Madueke scoring the decisive goal in the 80th minute.

Forest began with all 11 players behind the ball as Arsenal made the quicker start. Bukayo Saka’s early cross struck the underside of the crossbar before Matz Sels clawed the ball away.

David Raya then produced a strong one-handed save to his right to deny Dan Ndoye after Riccardo Calafiori had lost possession in midfield and allowed Forest to launch a promising attack.

Jair Cunha headed another dangerous Saka delivery behind for a corner, while Ousmane Diomande made a last-gasp block after Gabriel’s backheel to prevent the ball from crossing the Forest line during a scramble in the area.

The hosts grew into the contest, with Xaver Schlager and Liam Delap combining well in midfield. Delap created room for a shot, but it took a deflection and went wide.

Arsenal’s best efforts before the interval came from Kai Havertz. He headed Declan Rice’s 37th-minute free-kick off target, then sent another close-range attempt wide from a tight angle after being found by Rice.

Forest won a free-kick in a dangerous position late in the half after Delap was fouled, but Neco Williams’ powerful effort struck Bruno Guimaraes in the head.

Madueke makes the difference

Mikel Arteta replaced Eberechi Eze with Madueke at half-time in an attempt to improve Arsenal’s attacking display. The substitute immediately moved the ball forward to Calafiori, although the move broke down and Forest almost took advantage when Williams narrowly failed to connect with Delap’s cross.

McAtee sent a 49th-minute free-kick over the bar from 25 yards after Havertz had been penalised for handball. Madueke later cut in from the left but was blocked, and was booked for a heavy challenge on Ben White while attempting to win possession back.

Forest continued to threaten on the break. Gabriel forced Delap wide before he could produce a clean finish, and the Arsenal defender then prevented Ndoye from breaking through after the forward had collected a pass from Murillo.

A series of Forest corners came to nothing, and Arteta responded by sending on Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber for Guimaraes, Havertz and White.

Delap drove through the centre of the Arsenal defence but could not generate enough power with his shot. At the other end, Rice missed a good opportunity from inside the area, shooting over after Timber had supplied an excellent cut-back.

Forest introduced Arnaud Kalimuendo and Ibrahim Sangare for Ndoye and Nicola Dominguez as they searched for a winner, but Arsenal finished the stronger side. After several crosses had been cleared, Madueke cut in from the left and fired home, with the ball taking a wicked deflection off Cunha that gave Sels no chance.

Merino’s shot was blocked by Sangare, while Delap made a smart clearance before Timber could shoot from close range. Forest sent on Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood for McAtee and Cunha, but Arsenal held on for three points.

The result leaves Arsenal second in the table with 18 points from seven games, three behind leaders Manchester City.