Arsenal delivered a dominant performance at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, defeating Nottingham Forest 3-0 and spoiling Ange Postecoglou’s first game in charge of the visitors. A brace from Martin Zubimendi and a goal from Viktor Gyökeres propelled the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table on goal difference.
Zubimendi, signed from Real Sociedad during the summer transfer window, opened his Arsenal account in style with a goal in each half. The Spanish midfielder put Mikel Arteta’s side in front before Gyökeres, another summer signing, doubled the advantage shortly after the break. Zubimendi sealed the win late on with his second of the afternoon, capping off a complete team display.
The win marks Arsenal’s third victory in four league games, lifting them above Liverpool, who play Burnley on Sunday.
Despite the convincing scoreline, the victory came at a cost for Arsenal. Captain Martin Ødegaard was forced off in the first half with a suspected shoulder injury, adding to Arteta’s growing list of absentees. Arsenal are already without key players including Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and William Saliba.
Arteta will be hopeful that Ødegaard’s injury is not long-term, especially as his side look to maintain momentum in the early stages of the title race. However, he will be buoyed by the strong performances of his summer signings and a standout display from Noni Madueke, whose creativity and pace tormented Forest’s defence throughout the match.
It was a rough return to north London for Ange Postecoglou, who was only appointed Nottingham Forest manager earlier this week. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss, sacked in June despite winning the Europa League and ending Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought, watched his new side struggle to match Arsenal’s intensity and organisation.
Forest’s wait for a win at Arsenal stretches back to 1989, and Postecoglou’s record in north London derbies remains winless after a frustrating afternoon. His appointment came after Nuno Espirito Santo was dismissed amid tensions with owner Evangelos Marinakis, who made headlines by claiming Forest were ready to challenge for major trophies—a claim that now looks ambitious.
While Postecoglou’s arrival brought hope of a new era, this heavy defeat underlined the scale of the task ahead. Forest lacked attacking cohesion and were exposed defensively, particularly in transition. The Australian coach will need time to reshape the squad in his image, but patience may be in short supply at the City Ground.
Arsenal entered the match looking to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break. Prior to that, the Gunners had recorded back-to-back wins over Leeds and Manchester United, and this confident display showed they remain serious contenders for the Premier League crown.
