Arsenal recorded an emphatic five-nil victory over Nottingham Forest to bounce back from Thursday’s Europa League loss to PSV Eindhoven and return to the top of the Premier League table.
Gabriel Martinelli headed the Gunners in front as early as the fifth minute before England’s Bukayo Saka – who set up the opener – was forced off with an injury.
Reiss Nelson, Saka’s replacement, doubled the lead four minutes after the restart with his first Arsenal goal since November 2020 before quickly adding his second.
Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard’s goals added gloss to the scoreline as Arsenal restored their two-point lead over Manchester City at the summit, with Forest still bottom after an eighth defeat of the season.
The victory however came at a price as Saka was on the receiving end of Renan Lodi’s heavy challenge in the opening minute, and while he recovered to tee up Martinelli, the 21-year-old twice required treatment before being taken off in the 27th minute.
The sight of Saka heading straight down to the tunnel after being substituted will concern England fans just three weeks out from the start of the World Cup.
While Saka looked bright before being withdrawn, Nelson seized an opportunity to shine on his first Premier League appearance since the opening match of last season.
Arsenal showed support for the club’s defender Pablo Mari, who is recovering after being stabbed in an Italian supermarket on Thursday.
