Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Match Review – 3-0 Premier League 2025/26 | OneFootball

Arsenal got back to winning ways with a comprehensive win versus Nottingham Forest at the Emirates, showing control and menace in attack. The first goal came in the 32nd minute when Martin Zubimendi struck from outside the box, his effort slightly deflected, giving the Gunners the lead. After the break, Viktor Gyökeres doubled the advantage by slotting home a ball from Eberechi Eze following a long ball forward by Riccardo Calafiori. The game was put beyond doubt in the 79th minute when Zubimendi headed in from a Leandro Trossard cross, completing his brace. Forest tried to respond but couldn’t break down Arsenal’s sharp passing and disciplined defence.

Goalscorers:

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Match Review and Tactical Review

Arsenal put in a mature performance that combined control, patience and an appetite for goals as they swept Nottingham Forest aside 3–0 at the Emirates. For long periods, Forest did their utmost to contain Mikel Arteta’s side, but when the breakthrough came, there was never any doubt about Arsenal’s superiority.

Arsenal enjoyed the majority of the possession in the opening 45, but were slow to get going initially. Nottingham Forest defended in numbers, maintained their shape and attempted to irritate. Arsenal’s full-backs advanced to create offensive overloads, but Nottingham Forest were able to stay disciplined in defence. The breakthrough finally came as Martin Zubimendi fired a half-cleared corner in the 32nd minute. A minor deflection caught the goalkeeper wrong-footed, and Arsenal’s pressure had finally been converted into a 1–0 lead.

The goal increased the home team’s tempo. Arsenal found some confidence, moved the ball with more pace and width. Forest had their best moment just before the break when they pushed for an equaliser, but Crisitan Mosquera and Gabriel ensured counterattacks were snuffed out long before they were given a chance to develop.

Forest started the second half much like they did the first in staying structured, but Arsenal hit on the break to end any hope. Viktor Gyökeres, endearing himself to supporters with his work rate, doubled the lead in the 48th minute. He latched on to a back-pedalling defence, waiting for a cut-back from Eberechi Eze and calmly side-footed into the corner to give Arsenal complete control.

From there, Arsenal controlled the game intelligently and tired out Forest’s midfield. Forest almost equalised in the most bizarre fashion. A chest control attempt by Chris Wood turned into a shot that Raya finger-tipped onto the bar, saving embarrassment for the Spaniard. The cherry was added in the 79th minute, again by Zubimendi, leaping highest to a cross from substitute Trossard to make it 3-0.

Forest looked deflated after the third goal and didn’t have enough to trouble Arsenal’s back line. Their forays were intermittent, easily handled by Arsenal in the second period. The clean sheet would have been as pleasing to Arsenal as the goals, an indicator of their concentration in defence, enhancing their abundant attacking flair.

It was a display that cemented Arsenal’s growth in maturity. They were patient when they had to be, ruthless when opportunities presented themselves and disciplined to the end.

Arsenal Tactics

Arsenal set up in a 4-3-3, with adjustments forced early by an injury to Martin Ødegaard. Even so, the shape and movement showed both structure and flexibility. In deeper possession, they used clean passing through the midfield trio to control tempo and probe Forest’s compact defensive block.

In midfield, Zubimendi and Mikel Merino provided balance and progression. Nwaneri’s mobility allowed him to press when out of possession, helping to force turnovers. Zubimendi was exceptionally effective: he not only scored from open play but also posed an aerial threat, which Forest struggled to deal with at corners and set-pieces.

Wide players and full-backs were used to stretch Forest horizontally. Eberechi Eze and, specifically, Madueke often worked from the half-spaces, dragging Forest defenders out of position. This created pockets of space into which Gyökeres and Arsenal’s advancing midfielders could drive. After the break, Forest appeared to try to press higher but were vulnerable to those same transitions; Arsenal exploited this immediately with Gyökeres’ goal following a defensive high-line.

Defensively, Arsenal were compact and coordinated. When Forest threatened, the back four stayed organised, and the midfield dropped to limit central penetration. Full-backs were cautious about overlaps when Forest broke forward to avoid leaving gaps. The clean sheet owed much to discipline and good anticipation, especially when dealing with crosses and set-pieces.

Nottingham Forest Tactics

Forest began the game in a 4-2-3-1 shape, aiming to stay compact and frustrate Arsenal’s high-tempo passing. Their structure focused on congesting the middle of the pitch, with double pivot midfielders dropping deep to limit space between the lines and force Arsenal wide.

The wingers and forward, in particular, tried to press aggressively when Arsenal built from the back, hoping to force errors. Dan Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White were tasked with carrying the ball forward, attempting to isolate defenders and create chances from transitions.

However, Arsenal’s fluid wing play and full-backs stretched Forest’s back line. When Arsenal rotated positionally, Forest’s defensive line was repeatedly pulled out of shape, creating gaps for midfield runners. Arsenal’s set pieces proved especially difficult for Forest to defend.

As the game progressed, Forest’s intensity in pressing dropped slightly, and physical fatigue showed. Their transition from defence to attack became less sharp, giving Arsenal more time on the ball. Defensively, Forest struggled with aerial duels and marking during set pieces, which proved costly.

In possession, Forest looked to hold the ball in midfield when possible, but their build-ups were often broken by Arsenal’s pressing and quick turnovers. They seldom threatened deep in Arsenal’s half, with most forward moves being reactive rather than planned.

Man of the Match

I have selected Noni Madueke as Man of the Match. Despite a brace from Martin Zubimendi, Madueke’s influence on the game was considerable. Darting in from the right wing, Madueke was a continual thorn in Forest’s side with his direct runs and intelligent movements on the wing. His dribbling, combined with his endearingly aggressive nature, opened up space for his teammates and made Forest double up on him, leaving spaces elsewhere to be exploited by Arsenal

Crucially, Madueke’s delivery from set-pieces gave Arsenal a consistent attacking platform. His corners were whipped with pace and precision, keeping Forest under pressure and directly leading to dangerous chances, including the initial delivery that Zubimendi converted for his first goal. Every time Arsenal won a corner, there was a sense of anticipation because of Madueke’s quality.

While Zubimendi’s goals rightly drew attention, Madueke’s relentless threat made him the most decisive figure on the pitch. His ability to both unsettle defenders in open play and supply end product from dead balls underlined why he deserved the award.

Conclusion

Arsenal’s 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest was an excellent demonstration of control, discipline and depth. Zubimendi’s brace and Gyökeres reinforced how Arsenal were able to profit from open play as well as set‑piece situations. Arsenal calmly took control of the game from the early injury setback to Ødegaard. Forest rarely troubled them in the second period as Arsenal cut off their attacks and closed down space well. They’ll take great satisfaction from a clean sheet for their efforts, particularly with tougher tests on the horizon. This was always a tough outing for Forest and new manager Ange Postecoglou.

Arsenal welcome Manchester City in their next match, whilst Nottingham Forest will visit Burnley at Turf Moor.