Arsenal ‘respond’ to Manchester City: 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest

An extraordinary maneuver from Gabriel Martinelli, which ended with a goal from Randy Nketiah, and a great goal from Bukayo Saka, concentrated in just nine minutes, from 23 to 32, were enough for Arsenal to respond to the fight that resumed on Friday by Manchester City, with much more control than goals and opportunities, with an unexpected final loss and with the setback of Jurrien Timber’s injury.

Two indisputable flashes when Nottingham Forest still regretted Brennan Johnson’s missed opportunity, who fatally settled his individual duel against Aaron Ramsdale 0-0 in the 11th minute, between the monologue of the London team, at the time with averages of 87 percent of local possession, with all the action in the other half, with just thirteen connecting passes from the visitors…

Forest’s defensive effort worked for a while. He did not discover the routes to his goal, closed again and again in the eyes of last season’s runner-up. But it wasn’t enough. It’s hardly ever against this Arsenal, a team that has so much talent, overflow and mobility from midfield that one game changes everything.

Behind Nketiah, the reference point this Saturday, without Gabriel Jesús, Havertz, Odegaard, Saka and Gabriel Martinelli appeared, except for Declan Rice (another insider as Thomas moved from his defensive position of right-back to his offensive midfield position depending on the moment of the match). A collection of unstoppable resources.

His effectiveness did the rest. He hadn’t shot on target in the 23rd minute until Martinelli came up with a chance. For daring, for quality, for determination and for agility. His ingenious roulette on the left energized the visiting defense, who broke down when he assisted Randy Nketiah with his heel. His shot into the box was better than Turner. An assertion.

On the other hand, Saka didn’t need much more either. A target. His left-footed wire to make it 2-0 after half an hour, after two left-footed touches to the centre, permanently knocked out Forest, who accepted the reality with disbelief. More because of Arsenal’s tremendous efficiency than any other reason, because the London team were better at everything, but it’s true they only created two chances… And two goals.

With Forest disarmed, whose plan at the time was only defensive (it was different from minute 80, when Anthony Elanga came in), nothing changed Mikel Arteta’s team until the last stretch, also refined in winning back the ball, with Declan Rice in command of the rudder in the middle of the field, with Martinelli also delivered and sacrificed when it was time to run backwards and with everything under control on the field, the same as on the scoreboard, except for Timber’s injury.

Early in the second half, when he received a backward pass, the Dutch defender froze, reached for his right knee and fell to the ground. The game stopped and Mikel Arteta immediately called Tomiyasu, while the fullback was treated on the same pitch, which he left on his own. The medical tests will determine the extent of the signing ‘shooter’s condition. It cost 40 million.

The only setback so far of a match that seemed resolved. He continued on Arsenal’s pace, with a phenomenal save from Turner, who between him and the post deflected Rice’s effort from outside the area. After that, the goalkeeper flew to another shot.

And suddenly Arteta’s team faltered as they never could have imagined, as they allowed a counter-attack that left them exposed, overwhelmed by Anthony Elanga’s run.

Signed for Manchester United, a substitute in the staging, his participation in the 80th minute revolutionized the game. Two minutes later, his unattainable run from his pitch, on the counter-attack, promoted Awoniyi’s 2-1 scoreline, also coming from the bench, to pass some unforeseen difficulties to Arsenal, who went on to hold on to victory.