Trossard flops, Odegaard superb – Arsenal player ratings vs Nottingham Forest
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard produced excellent performances as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at The Emirates Stadium.
After Jurrien Timber was denied having strayed offside from a set-piece in the early moments of the game, the hosts took the lead 15 minutes.
Saka did brilliantly to create space for himself just inside the Forest area, before curling a stunning strike into the far corner.
Arsenal then doubled their lead shortly after the break, when half-time substitute Thomas Partey fired in a spectacular strike from the edge of the area just moments after coming on.
While the visitors did show more intent and enjoy some longer spells in their opponent’s territory as the game went on, they were unable to find a breakthrough.
It was the hosts who would get the third goal of the game with less than ten minutes remaining, when substitutes Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri combined for the latter to turn home his first league goal.
That allowed Arsenal to end their four-game winless run in the Premier League, ensuring they keep pace with those competing for the title.
Here’s how Football Insider rated the Gunners’ players in their clash with Nottingham Forest.
David Raya – 6
Hard to remember him having a save to make all game, but commanded his area well when having to deal with the odd cross into his penalty area.
Jurrien Timber (off for Kiwior, ’88) – 7
A solid enough performance from the Dutchman who looked comfortable until being taken off late on to protect him. Like the rest of the back four, didn’t have a huge amount to do.
William Saliba – 7
Again, one of the easier afternoons he is likely to have in the Premier League this season, with Forest asking very little of him in defence, though he didn’t much wrong either.
Gabriel – 6
Like the rest of the back four a quiet game for him defensively, but may feel he should have done better when the ball landed at his feet in the Forest area from a corner in the final moments.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard link-up brilliantly for Arsenal
Ricardo Calafiori (off for Zinchenko, ’67) – 6
It was his left flank that Forest seemed to target more when getting forward in attack, but the Italian was largely untroubled by that threat, without doing a great deal himself.
Jorginho (off for Partey, ’45) – 6
Substituted at half-time. Picked up a booking in the first-half for a late challenge which may have influenced Arteta’s decision. A solid performer but didn’t make the same impact as his replacement.
Mikel Merino – 7
A solid presence in the centre of the park for the Gunners, he did look to help going forward as well with little to worry about from a defensive perspective.
Martin Odegaard (off for Nwaneri, ’82) – 9, Man of the Match
How important it is for Arsenal to have him back starting and playing well. The captain was brilliant in making things tick in attack, with his acute passing and skill causing problems and bringing the best out of his teammates as well.
Bukayo Saka (off for Sterling, ’82) – 8
Got the ball rolling with his brilliant opening goal, and made life extremely hard for the Forest defence in the first-half especially. The only disappointment will be the yellow card he picked up for a high challenge in the first-half.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
Had a decent effort in the first half but was relatively quiet otherwise. Still feels like he needs a goal in the Premier League soon.
Leandro Trossard – 4
May feel he should have done better with a strike from inside the area that was straight at Matz Sels in the first-half. After that didn’t pose as much of a threat as some of his fellow attackers.
Raheem Sterling assists first Ethan Nwaneri Premier League goal
Substitutions
Thomas Partey (on for Jorginho, ’45) – 7
Brought on at half-time for the yellow-carded Jorginho and made an instant impact by doubling Arsenal’s lead moments later with a brilliant strike from the edge of the area. After which he had a pretty comfortable 45 minutes in the centre of the park.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (on for Calafiori, ’67) – 6
Came on with the game effectively already won to build up some fitness, which will likely be helpful for Arsenal down the line. Came under pressure a couple of times but didn’t have much to sort out.
Ethan Nwaneri (on for Odegaard, ’82) – 8
Very nearly scored after a brilliant run just moments after his introduction to the game, and did just that when he turned home a pull back from Sterling for his first Premier League goal a minute later.
Raheem Sterling (on for Saka, ’82) – 6
Didn’t get on the scoresheet but contributing with an assist for Nwaneri may boost his confidence after a quiet start to his Arsenal career.
Jakub Kiwior (on for Timber, ’88) – 6
Brought on for Timber to see out the final few minutes of the game.
In other news, Arsenal have been sent a message over the future of Ben White.
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