Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
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Arsenal thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-0 at the Emirates on Sunday to return to the top of the Premier League, but the win may have come at a cost after Bukayo Saka limped off midway through the first half.
Saka’s replacement Reiss Nelson scored a brace to go with goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard. But the injury to the winger will be a major concern for manager Mikel Arteta and his England counterpart Gareth Southgate three weeks ahead of the start of the World Cup in Qatar.
Arsenal move to 31 points from their 12 games, two ahead of Manchester City, while an outclassed Forest remain rooted to the bottom of the table with nine points having played a game more.
Saka was excellent in the opening minutes and it was his cross that was headed into the net by Martinelli for the opener, but he went down injured shortly afterwards after a challenge from Forest’s Renan Lodi. Saka tried to continue but came off after 27 minutes.
Arsenal should have been further ahead at halftime but made sure of the points within the first 15 minutes of the second period as Nelson scored twice in quick succession, before Partey netted a stunning fourth with a curling shot from outside the box. Odegaard later blasted into the top corner from close-range.
Arsenal’s next Premier League fixture is a trip across London to Chelsea next Sunday, while Forest host Brentford the day before.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
Gibbs-White seizes on a loose ball from Xhaka and charges forward. He has men in support, but his pass to Awoniyi is intercepted by Gabriel.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
OVER! Xhaka feeds Odegaard in the box and he offloads back to Jesus in space. He shoots on his right foot, only to lift his effort over the top.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
WIDE! Partey loses out to Awoniyi in the Arsenal half and he drives forward before feeding Lingard to strike. The forward connects with his effort, but slices it well wide of the target.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
BLOCK! Odegaard lines up the resulting free-kick, but his slams his strike into the wall. Lodi reacts to the loose ball to steer it away from Jesus.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
Gibbs-White brings down Nelson in the final third, handing the home side a free-kick in a threatening position.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
Arsenal have lost just one of their last 32 home Premier League games when scoring first (W28 D3), losing 2-1 to Man City in January. They have won their last nine games since then when scoring first at the Emirates.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
Saka is down again. He has not been able to shake off that early knock and will have to be withdrawn.
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