Bukayo Saka reaps rewards of Martin Odegaard return to put Arsenal back on track
ARSENAL 3-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Bukayo Saka scored the opener and teed up Thomas Partey for the second as Mikel Arteta's team returned to winning ways at the Emirates
by Alan Smith · The MirrorMIKEL Arteta maintained his impassive look when the full-time whistle was blown.
But deep down the Arsenal manager will have been delighted by this emphatic response to the four-game winless run that has threatened to derail their title ambitions.
With captain Martin Odegaard making his first home start since late August and Bukayo Saka rejuvenated following an international break focused on recovery, the Gunners laid on a platter of delicious attacking football.
Saka scored the opener before feeding Thomas Partey for the second goal, consigning Arteta’s decision to leave Kai Havertz and Declan Rice on the substitutes’ bench as barely a footnote.
Electric academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri converted a clinical third three minutes after coming off the bench.
The only negative was that the winning margin was not greater against a Forest side that began the day in fifth place and yet to taste defeat away from home.
But Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were well beaten here on an afternoon in which they defended soundly only to still concede three while being completely neutered going forward.
Arsenal’s intent was clear from the outset with Saka and Odegaard having first-time efforts blocked while Jurrien Timber saw a close-range finish from a set-piece ruled out following a lengthy VAR check.
Odegaard, who appeared in a desperate rush to make up for lost time, delivered a free from the right that Mikel Merino rose high to head down - only for the Spain midfielder to eventually be judged as marginally offside.
No matter, Arsenal continued to dominate and the composure and footwork shown by Saka for the opening goal was a delight.
He played a one-two inside the area with Odegaard and then slaloming his way across the box surrounded by blue shirts. Saka’s patience eventually paid off as he spotted a small gap and drilled firmly past Matz Sels.
Forest, set up to counterattack, did not threaten until the 25th minute when Ryan Yates headed over from a James Ward-Prowse free-kick.
But up against the Gunners’ blur of movement, their defensive performance deserved some credit.
Saka’s goalbound effort was blocked by a combination of Nicolas Dominguez and Murillo, while Leandro Trossard brought a fine save from Sels.
The Forest keeper then denied Saka, after more exquisite build-up play involving Odegaard and Jesus.
Despite Arsenal’s dominance, a sense of anxiety in the stands began to grow as the break loomed without a second goal.
And home fans expressed their tetchiness with a collective rage at referee Lee Mason when he booked Saka for raising his foot to Yates’ head from a 50-50.
But Arteta’s decision to replace Jorginho - on a booking for fouling Anthony Elanga - with Thomas Partey at the interval paid quick dividends.
The Ghanaian received the ball from Saka a little more than 20 yards from goal.
Forest, for once, were slow to react and Partey took a touch to steady himself before drilling clinically past Sels.
A good chance to score a third broke down when Trossard played a poor pass towards Saka, prompting Arteta to react furiously at the Belgian.
Yet by the end, despite appearances, Arteta will have felt thrilled by this return to form with sub Nwaneri side-footing home Raheem Sterling’s low centre.
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