Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground to close down the gap between them and Manchester City at the top of the table.
Noni Madueke scored the winning goal late in the second half to give Mikel Arteta’s side all three points in a tight Premier League match which could have ended in a draw.
The game was short of clear chances for long periods, with Nottingham Forest defending well and Arsenal struggling to break through.
However, Madueke made the difference after coming on as a substitute, helping the visitors leave the host with an important away win.
The Premier League Champions dominated much of the game but found it difficult to create clear scoring chances against a well-organised Forest defence.
Neither team managed to score in the first half which had just few opportunities, and the match remained goalless until the closing stages.
Both teams started cautiously, with Forest looking to stay compact while Arsenal tried to find space in the attacking areas.
The Champions created some pressure through Bukayo Saka and their forward players, but Forest defended well and limited the visitors’ opportunities.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels was called into action to deal with a dangerous cross from Saka. The save as able to keep the scoreline 0-0 between both teams as they pushed on.
The host also had a chance to take the lead through Dan Ndoye. The forward tried a shot from a tight angle in the 19th minute, but the Gunners goalkeeper David Raya made the save.
Despite these moments, neither side found the target with enough regularity to take control of the match. The teams went into half-time at 0-0, with the away side needing a better attacking display after the break.
Arsenal made a change at half-time, bringing on Noni Madueke for Eberechi Eze. The substitute gave the visitors another attacking option as they continued to search for a breakthrough.
The decisive moment arrived in the 80th minute. Madueke cut inside from the left and fired towards goal with a precised strike attempt.
His effort took a deflection off Forest defender Jair Cunha, changing its direction and leaving Sels unable to keep it out.
The goal put his side 1-0 ahead and ended a frustrating spell in front of goal. Madueke’s finish was also the only shot on target in the match, making his contribution even more important.
Declan Rice was credited with the assist for the finish, although the goal itself was heavily influenced by the deflection before beating the goalkeeper.
Forest pushed forward after going behind and tried to find an equaliser in the closing minutes which they struggled to make happen.
A quick throw-in from Liam Delap helped create an opportunity for Callum Hudson-Odoi, who moved forward down the left. Substitute Chris Wood had a chance to shoot but hesitated, allowing the opportunity to disappear.
Murillo then produced a clever piece of skill inside the away side penalty area during stoppage time. However, his effort curled high and wide, wasting another chance to rescue a point for the home side.
The Champions held firm through the final moments to protect their narrow lead and secure the win. The match ended Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal, with Madueke’s late, deflected strike separating the teams.
The Premier League Champions took all three points despite struggling to turn their possession into clear chances, while Forest were left to regret their missed opportunities.
The result gave Mikel Arteta a valuable Premier League away victory and left Forest with more questions about their attacking threat.
For Madueke, the goal was a timely reminder of the impact a substitute can make in a closely fought game. The Champions escape with all maximum points to keep up with Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City.
