Arsenal player ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Martin Zubimendi sublime and Noni Madueke excellent again | OneFootball

Gunners warm up for Champions League opener with a comfortable win over Nottingham Forest as summer signings impress

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Arsenal got back to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal needed a reaction after their defeat to Liverpool before the international break, and after a professional performance against Forest, they can now turn their attentions to the start of their Champions League campaign.

Sam Tabuteau was at the Emirates Stadium to rate the Arsenal players...

David Raya 7

Catching practice for Raya on his 100th Arsenal appearance. Forest showed nothing going forward and mustered just one shot on target.

Jurrien Timber 7

A comfortable afternoon for the Arsenal defender, who provided Madueke with the freedom to push forward. His second-half cross should have been converted by Declan Rice, but his performance centred around facilitating the electric Madueke.

Cristhian Mosquera 8

Looks more than able to cover for William Saliba. Confident bringing the ball out of defence, though didn’t have to prove too much defensively in a game Arsenal dominated. Produced a brilliant tackle to deny Callum Hudson-Odoi in the second-half.

Gabriel 7

Composed as ever at the back, using his physicality to easily deal with Forest’s rare forays forward. Spurned a good early headed chance from a corner.

Riccardo Calafiori 6

Struggled with the pace of Dan N’doye on a couple of occasions, but it was his clipped pass that opened up the opportunity for Arsenal to double their lead. Brought off for Myles Lewis-Skelly after picking up a deserved yellow card.

Martin Zubimendi 9 | Star player

Broke the deadlock with a simply sublime volley from the edge of the area and headed home Arsenal’s third to seal a comfortable victory. In a game where Arsenal were so dominant, Zubimendi’s technical astuteness really shone through.

Off the mark: Martin Zubimendi

AFP via Getty Images

Mikel Merino 7

Saw an early shot well blocked by Sels, and kept the hosts on the front foot, making the most recoveries of any outfield Arsenal player, before being pushed up front following Declan Rice’s introduction.

Martin Odegaard 5

The Norwegian struggled for fitness for much of last season and was withdrawn early on against Forest. Arteta will be left sweating over a mounting injury list.

Noni Madueke 9

Carried the momentum from a productive international break into this afternoon’s game. His directness had Morato chasing shadows. Hit the byline time and again, while only a last-ditch tackle from Murillo denied him a superb assist, as he pulled the ball back for Timber. Got his reward for a string of excellent corner kick deliveries when Zubimendi volleyed home.

Viktor Gyokeres 8

Got the all-important second goal. The Swede is still trying to get up to speed with his teammates, failing to anticipate a couple of presentable Madueke crosses in the first-half. However, his striking instincts kicked into gear after the break, and he came close to grabbing a second as he rifled a shot off the crossbar. Replaced with just over 20 minutes to play.

Back on the scoresheet: Viktor Gyokeres

Getty Images

Eberechi Eze 8

An excellent full debut for Eze, capped by a wonderful assist for Gyokeres. A delightful dummy inside five minutes set the tempo for a confident display, and while there were moments in which he could have been a bit sharper with the ball at his feet, the early signs were very promising.

Substitutes:

Ethan Nwaneri 5

A quiet game, despite Arsenal’s dominance. Odegaard’s injury offered the youngster an opportunity in his favoured position, but it was one he failed to take.

Myles Lewis-Skelly 6

Came on and shored up Arsenal’s defence as they secured their third clean sheet in four games.

Declan Rice 6

Given a rest after a busy start to the season, Rice was introduced late in the second-half and nearly got on the end of Timber’s inviting cross.

Gabriel Martinelli 5

Martinelli’s place in the side is no longer guaranteed following Eze’s arrival, and he will need to show more if he wants to displace the former Crystal Palace man.

Leandro Trossard 7

Made an instant impact, producing an inswinging cross for Zubimendi to head home