Nottingham Forest 0‑1 Arsenal: Substitute Noni Madueke strikes late winner

Noni Madueke turned Arsenal’s only shot on target into an 80th-minute winner at the City Ground, coming off the bench to secure a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest and restore his side to second place. His deflected strike, assisted by Declan Rice, separated the teams after a goalless first half in which neither had tested the opposing goalkeeper.

The opening 45 minutes offered little goalmouth action. Arsenal’s previous two visits to the City Ground had finished goalless, and another match without a breakthrough remained a prospect well into the second half.

Mikel Arteta introduced Madueke for Eberechi Eze at half-time. The substitute received a yellow card for a foul in the 53rd minute, but his decisive contribution arrived with 10 minutes of normal time remaining, when his effort broke the deadlock.

Arsenal had also made three changes in the 66th minute, bringing on Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyökeres and Jurriën Timber. For Timber, the appearance marked his 100th game for the club; for Madueke, his second-half introduction ended with the goal that delivered Arsenal’s sixth league win in seven matches.

Forest still came close to rescuing a point. Murillo sent a late right-footed effort just over the bar, leaving the hosts without a goal for a fifth successive home match.

The match statistics explain why this was a narrow win rather than a comfortable one. Arsenal recorded 74% possession but managed nine shots to Forest’s 13. The hosts also led 2-1 in shots on target and 7-6 in corners.

Arsenal’s share of the ball therefore did not translate into a stream of chances. Their one effort on target was enough, but Forest produced more attempts despite having just 26% possession. The difference was Madueke’s finish, not a large gap in attacking output.

That distinction shaped Oliver Glasner’s assessment. The Forest head coach described the result as “unfair” after a performance in which his team created chances and restricted Arsenal’s efforts on goal. The deflection on the winner added to the frustration of a defeat decided so late.

Murillo’s response combined disappointment with support for the work under Glasner. The defender said the players were adapting to the head coach’s ideas and a change of system, rather than treating this result as a reason to abandon their approach.

“Our team will keep improving. We have a good coach and we’re getting used to his ideas,” Murillo said. “We’ve changed our system and after three or four months with the new gaffer, I think we’re getting closer to our best.”

He added: “We did a very good job and I’m so proud of the team.”

The league position nevertheless gives Forest an immediate reason to turn performances into points. They sit 18th with five points from seven matches, level on points with the first safe place. This was their third consecutive defeat, their longest losing sequence of the season.

Their home record is another concern: seven matches without a win and five without scoring. Against Arsenal, creating more shots than their opponents did not end either run. Murillo’s late attempt offered a chance of changing the result, but Forest again finished a home game empty-handed.

For Arsenal, the reward was more straightforward. They have 18 points from seven games and trail leaders Manchester City by three. A match that produced only one Arsenal shot on target still yielded the full three points, with Arteta’s half-time change supplying the decisive contribution.

Arsenal now turn to Wednesday’s trip to Germany. Forest’s next Premier League assignment is against Ipswich Town, with Murillo setting out the priority: “We have to keep going and not give up. We have to forget the past now and focus on the next game against Ipswich.” For the hosts, the task is to turn the chances and improvement their players described into an end to those winless and goalless home runs.

Questions

Where does the win leave Arsenal in the Premier League?

Arsenal are second with 18 points from seven matches, three points behind leaders Manchester City. They have won six league games this season.

What does the result mean for Nottingham Forest?

Nottingham Forest are 18th with five points from seven matches, level on points with the first safe place. They have lost three successive matches and have not scored in five home games.

Who do Nottingham Forest play next?

Forest’s next Premier League match is against Ipswich Town.

What is the relegation zone?

The relegation zone consists of the bottom three places in the Premier League. Teams finishing the season in those positions are relegated to the division below.