Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday thanks to a late goal from Noni Madueke.
The Gunners struggled to break down Forest for much of the game, but Madueke’s 80th-minute strike proved enough to secure three points and keep Arsenal within touching distance of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated possession in the first half but struggled to create clear chances, with Kai Havertz almost scoring from a Declan Rice free-kick and Gabriel seeing an effort cleared off the line.
Forest defended well and looked to threaten on the counter-attack, making it difficult for Arsenal to find a breakthrough.
However, Arteta introduced Madueke at half-time and the winger eventually made the difference.
Arteta reflects on narrow victory
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Arteta admitted that his side had to remain patient to secure the win.
“We did something we didn’t do in the two seasons before and that is win the game,” he said.
“We knew the margins would be small unless you open up the game much earlier, which we had two chances to do.
“The longer the game goes on, they have more belief and that’s when you have to take more risks and that’s when the game can break.
“But we talked about it. We had to be so patient without getting frustrated.
“It was tough to generate open chances against them, and we have to take them when we get them.
“We had another three chances that should have been on target – and not only on target, but they should have been goals.
“That’s the difference. You have to be clinical.”
Despite the victory, Arsenal will know they need to be more clinical in front of goal as the season progresses.
Their only shot on target was enough to beat Forest, but they will face tougher tests against sides who offer more attacking threat.
The result leaves Arsenal on 18 points, three behind Man City at the top of the Premier League table.
Meanwhile, Forest drop into the relegation zone after another home game without scoring.
Oliver Glasner’s side showed defensive resilience but could not find a goal to earn a point.
Ultimately, Arteta will be pleased with the result, but Arsenal need to improve their attacking performance if they are to defend their Premier League title.
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More from Sunday’s EPL action
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Bournemouth beat Sunderland 2-0 to claim their first league win of the season, while Brighton secured a convincing 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United at Elland Road, leaving Michael Carrick’s side with just one win from their opening seven league matches.
Arsenal’s victory completed Sunday’s Premier League action, with Tottenham and Coventry set to meet on Monday night to bring matchweek seven to a close.
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