Three Things We Learned from Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
Arsenal returned to Premier League action with a convincing 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates, a match that featured goals from new arrivals Martín Zubimendi and Viktor Gyökeres. For Ange Postecoglou, it was a tough debut as Forest manager, the former Tottenham coach greeted with chants that underlined his difficult return to north London.
The afternoon carried weight for Arsenal beyond the three points. Mikel Arteta handed full starts to summer signings Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke alongside Gyökeres, and all three left their mark. Zubimendi, brought in to add steel and control in midfield, scored his first brace in English football, and Gyökeres added his third Premier League goal in four matches.
There was one cloud: captain Martin Ødegaard departed early with another shoulder problem, raising concerns about his availability for the Champions League opener. Yet on the pitch, Arsenal’s display provided useful evidence about the direction of the team this season. Here are three things we learned from the match.
Lesson One: A useful demonstration of Arteta’s evolving game model
Arsenal controlled the match almost from the outset. They finished with roughly 54% possession, 16 shots to Forest’s five, and an expected goals tally of around 2.2 to 0.2. The statistical balance leaves little doubt that this was a match one-way in nature, and Arsenal’s win probability graph reflected it — once Zubimendi opened the scoring, the curve never shifted back in Forest’s favor.
The shape of Arsenal’s attack was telling. With Ødegaard injured, Arsenal pushed more progression through wide areas and direct carries. Noni Madueke attempted five dribbles in the first half alone and completed four. On the opposite side, Eze offered variety, with one carry-and-cross sequence that resulted in Gyökeres’ goal straight after halftime.
Forest struggled to escape their own third. Arsenal’s pressing was not ferocious throughout, but when triggered, it was effective. They forced 11 high turnovers, including two that led directly to shots. Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel read the long-ball game well, combining for over 90 defensive-third touches and ensuring Chris Wood rarely received clean service.
The baseline level looks higher than last season. Even without Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, or Declan Rice in the starting lineup, Arsenal generated consistent pressure and produced chances through multiple routes: set-pieces, wide carries, and central overloads. The upper limit of performance remains to be seen against stronger opposition, but the control in this match was notable.
Lesson Two: New signings change the attack’s rhythm
Zubimendi’s double drew the headlines, but the forward trio of Gyökeres, Madueke, and Eze carried the greater tactical significance. This was the first time Arteta deployed them together, and their combinations suggest Arsenal now have a broader attacking palette.
Madueke was the standout in the first half. His nine deep completions and six passes into the box led the team, and his corners caused repeated problems. From one of those sequences came Zubimendi’s volley, a strike hit cleanly through traffic. Madueke ended with five key passes and 0.73 goal probability added through passing — the highest in the side.
Eze grew into the game. Early on he provided small touches of quality, but his real influence came with the assist for Gyökeres. The run in behind was well timed, and the delivery simple but precise, a left-footed square ball that the striker could not miss. For Arsenal, this represented exactly the kind of straightforward goal they struggled to produce last season when matches tightened.
Gyökeres, for his part, offered what Arsenal bought him for: presence in the box. He finished with four shots worth 0.81 expected goals, hit the post once, and forced Matz Sels into one of his two saves. His movement stretched Forest’s defense, pulling Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo into positions they did not want to occupy.
The partnerships are still forming, but already this front line connects well. Madueke’s willingness to go outside his marker complements Eze’s preference for coming inside. Gyökeres makes runs that demand service, and with Zubimendi breaking forward from midfield, Arsenal had multiple points of entry into the penalty area.
Lesson Three: Depth and durability will shape the season
For all the positives, Ødegaard’s injury was the reminder that the season’s trajectory can shift quickly. This was the second time in consecutive Emirates matches that he exited early with the same shoulder problem. Combined with Saka, Saliba, Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus already unavailable, Arsenal’s depth is being tested before September is out.
The positive angle is that the replacements are contributing. Ethan Nwaneri stepped in and produced 49 touches, including 21 in the final third. Declan Rice was able to come off the bench rather than start, giving him recovery time after England duty. Leandro Trossard marked his 50th direct goal contribution in Arsenal colors with the assist for Zubimendi’s header.
Cristhian Mosquera deserves special mention. Signed to add depth behind Saliba and Gabriel, he was thrust into the lineup and played with assurance. He made one crucial sliding intervention to deny Callum Hudson-Odoi a certain goal, recorded 93 touches, and looked comfortable building from the back. If he continues this trajectory, Arteta will feel less pressure to rush Saliba back.
The larger picture is that Arsenal look equipped to absorb injuries in a way they could not in prior seasons. Arteta started five summer signings here, and all of them contributed meaningfully. The team now has legitimate rotation options across the front line and midfield. If they can manage minutes for Rice and Ødegaard carefully, Arsenal have the resources to remain competitive across the Premier League and Champions League schedule.
Conclusion
This match won’t decide Arsenal’s season, yet it offered a clear read on where the team is heading. A routine home win over Nottingham Forest might not stand out, yet the way it was achieved matters. The performance showed tactical flexibility without key leaders, immediate impact from new signings, and growing evidence of depth.
Forest, under Postecoglou, will require time to adjust, and their own struggles framed the contest. Arsenal did what a team with title ambitions must do: turn control into goals and walk off with a comfortable margin.
The season will offer tougher examinations, starting with Athletic Club away in the Champions League and Manchester City at home in the league. But if this performance is any guide, Arsenal are positioned to handle those tests. They leave the Emirates with a win, a shutout, and a growing sense that the squad’s summer reinforcements have given Arteta new tools for the months ahead.
