Arsenal is faltering but still has a good general for a cracker against Liverpool

Arsenal did excellent business in the Premier League title race on Tuesday evening. Manager Mikel Arteta's formation had a difficult time with Nottingham Forest for a long time, but nevertheless won 1-2 and is second again. A good general for Arsenal, who will play leader Liverpool next weekend. The deficit has been reduced to two points, although Liverpool still has a game in hand.

Forest clearly occupied the defensive positions and were in the meantime waiting for the counter. At Arsenal, Martin Ødegaard was clearly the director in midfield and the man who wanted to put the attackers in position. There were goal attempts from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, among others, but that did not upset goalkeeper Matt Turner.

The home club seemed to be happy with the 0-0 score, while Arsenal made an increasingly powerless impression in an attacking sense. The Gunners were given the necessary corner kicks, but this did not result in any real opportunities. Meanwhile, time was ticking against the visitors from North London.

The game pattern did not change significantly in the second half. Arsenal looked for the attack and Forest mainly wanted to stop. The hosts were lucky ten minutes after the break when Gabriel Jesus hit the post, although Arsenal were lucky shortly before that Neco Williams failed with a promising header. Saka tried to pull Arsenal out of the doldrums, but he also failed to find the target.

Almost out of nowhere, Arsenal took the lead in minute 64. Oleksandr Zinchenko threw a quick and smart shot from the left towards Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian attacker almost pushed the ball under Turner's legs at the end line: 0-1. The lead after more than an hour of play provided enormous relief to Arsenal and the fans who traveled with them.

Just seven minutes later, a revived Arsenal finally won the match. After a smooth counter, the ball ended up with Saka, who shot into the far corner from inside the sixteen. This also broke the resistance of the brave Forest.

Ødegaard actually deserved a goal, but his attempt fifteen minutes before the end flew wide of the goal. It became even more exciting in the final phase when substitute Taiwo Awoniyi scored from close range and the VAR awarded the goal. Five minutes of injury time were added, but despite the pressure, Arsenal held on.

More news





More sports news