After Nottingham Forest’s resistance was broken at the City Ground by an outstanding second-half show, Arsenal mitigated the gap between them and Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points.
The Gunners found it difficult to penetrate Forest’s well-prepared defense, but after 65 minutes, a low shot from Gabriel Jesus snuck under Matt Turner’s legs and into the goal, giving the home team the lead.
Seven minutes later, Arsenal increased their lead, taking full advantage of another Forest mistake when Gonzalo Montiel gave the ball to Martin Odegaard, whose pass allowed Jesus to set up Bukayo Saka for an unforeseen finish across Turner.
In the final minutes, Forest substitute Taiwo Awoniyi equalized the score with a close-range finish and came dangerously near moments later, but Gunners keeper David Raya held firm.
The victory meant a lot to manager Mikel Arteta, whose celebrations at full time during the match against Forest, a team whose victory here the previous season ended Arsenal’s title challenge.
If Liverpool defeats Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday, they might reclaim their five-point lead over Arsenal; nonetheless, this victory sets up nicely for Jurgen Klopp’s team’s weekend trip to Emirates Stadium.
