SUPER Eagles of Nigeria defender Ola Aina was unavailable for Nottingham Forest due to injury, while his compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi was not in the squad as they were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal in their English Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Martin Zubimendi nettes his first Arsenal goals as the Gunners comfortably saw off Forest on Ange Postecoglou’s debut as head coach.
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Postecoglou had not got the better of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in the previous four matches they had faced each other in, with three defeats and one draw.
That record did not seem likely to change as, although Forest showed promise in some of their play, Arsenal took charge of the match.
Arsenal’s Noni Madueke, again starting on the right in place of the injured Bukayo Saka, was impressive as he seemed able to beat Morato every time he had the ball, while his inswinging corners caused problems for the Forest defence.
It was from one of these corners that Arsenal took the lead. Chris Wood headed one of Madueke’s deliveries to the edge of the box and Zubimendi hit a powerful volley past goalkeepeer Matz Sels with a slight deflection from Murillo.
Morgan Gibbs-White had the best chance for Forest when he shot wide from inside the penalty area following a counter-attack.
The Gunners doubled their lead one minute into the second half when Eberechi Eze, making his first start for Arsenal, teed up Viktor Gyokeres to tap in from close range.
Zubimendi then added his second with a header when he got on the end of substitute Leandro Trossard’s cross.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard had to be replaced with what looked like a shoulder injury in the first half, in the only downside for the Gunners.