Arsenal ruined Ange Postecoglou’s first recreation in control of Nottingham Forest as Martin Zubimendi’s double sealed a 3-0 win on the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Zubimendi bagged his first objectives for the Gunners following his close-season transfer from Actual Sociedad.
The Spain midfielder opened the scoring within the first half and netted once more within the closing levels after Viktor Gyokeres doubled Arsenal’s lead quickly after the break.
Arsenal’s third win in 4 video games took them to the highest of the desk on aim distinction forward of Liverpool, who face Burnley on Sunday.
A 1-0 defeat towards champions Liverpool of their final match earlier than the worldwide break had punctured the optimism at Arsenal after successive wins towards Leeds and Manchester United to start out the season.
However this was the sort of assured show, highlighted by Noni Madueke’s virtuoso efficiency, that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta believes will maintain his aspect in rivalry to win the title.
The one darkish cloud for Arteta was an damage to Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who was compelled off within the first half with what appeared like a shoulder drawback.
Odegaard joins a prolonged damage checklist that already contains Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and William Saliba.
It was a irritating return to north London for Postecoglou, simply three months after he was unceremoniously sacked by Tottenham regardless of profitable the Europa League final season to finish the membership’s 17-year trophy drought.
Postecoglou was employed by Forest this week following Nuno Espirito Santo’s dismissal after his relationship with proprietor Evangelos Marinakis collapsed.
Marinakis instantly piled strain on Postecoglou, who presided over Tottenham’s worst top-flight end since 1976-77 final season, by claiming Forest had been ready to problem for main trophies.
Nonetheless, the Australian didn’t win a north London derby as Tottenham boss and was unable to information Forest to their first victory on Arsenal turf since 1989.
– Medical Arsenal –
Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze made his first begin since signing from Crystal Palace in August, whereas the winger’s England team-mate Declan Rice was left on the bench.
Arteta was criticised for utilizing three ‘defensive’ midfielders within the loss at Liverpool, however Mikel Merino scored a hat-trick for Spain through the worldwide break and he ought to have put Arsenal forward within the opening levels.
Merino pounced on the unfastened ball when a free-kick dropped to him, however Forest keeper Matz Sels repelled his close-range effort.
Odegaard tried to play on after a clumsy fall however the Norway midfielder was ultimately by Ethan Nwaneri with simply 18 minutes gone.
Arsenal’s set-piece excellence had tormented Postecoglou throughout his time at Tottenham and it practically paid off once more when Jurrien Timber’s glancing header flashed simply extensive from Noni Madueke’s nook.
It was no shock when Arsenal took the lead from one other dead-ball supply within the thirty second minute, however Zubimendi’s strike was removed from routine.
Assembly the ball on the volley, he blasted a superb strike from the sting of the realm that took a slight deflection off Forest defender Murillo because it flashed previous Sels.
Gyokeres put Arsenal in full management simply 46 seconds after the interval.
It was a aim that showcased Arteta’s summer season recruitment as Eze whipped in a low cross for Gyokeres to fit dwelling with ease for third aim since arriving from Sporting Lisbon.
Forest virtually hauled one again instantly as Wooden’s flick cannoned off the bar.
Gyokeres practically wrapped up the factors with a drive towards the publish after Eze and Madueke mixed to carve via the creaky Forest defence.
Zubimendi administered the knockout blow within the 79th minute, rising to satisfy Leandro Trossard’s cross with a scientific header.
