Noni Madueke broke the deadlock in a dull game as Arsenal squeezed past Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Who rated the highest as the champions claimed a crucial victory? Matz Sels: The goalkeeper was untroubled with Arsenal struggling to create clear chances until Forest's resistance was broken with 10 minutes left. 6 Murillo: He took a blow to the head in the first half which required treatment and almost grabbed an injury-time leveller following some great skill. 6 Ousmane Diomande: It was only the summer signing's fourth Premier League start but he has settled well and looked to be helping Forest to a positive point. 6 Jair Cunha: Has become a dependable member of Oliver Glasner's side and was unlucky when Madueke's shot clipped him and flew in. 6 Neco Willams: Booked in the first half and was unable to threaten from wing-back while his usual reliable deliveries did not meet his normal standards. 6 Xaver Schlager: The midfielder has slotted in well to the Forest engine room but was unable to influence the game this time. 6 Nicolas Dominguez: Neat and tidy in the middle in his first Premier League appearance of the season but naturally ran out of steam. 6 James McAtee: Without the injured Morgan Gibbs-White the onus fell on him to be a creative force but, while he worked hard, could not find that spark. 6 Daniel Munoz: Tested David Raya and tried to get forward, especially in the first half, but more will be needed. 6 Dan Ndoye: The forward shot wide early but there was little end product and he was unable to get the better of Riccardo Calafiori. 6 Liam Delap: Enjoyed the physical battle with Arsenal's defence and was a nuisance to Ezri Konsa and Gabriel but did not get close to a goal. 6 Ibrahim Sangare (on 74, Dominguez): Stopped at the crucial moment to allow Arsenal to regroup and score. 5 Subs not used: John Victor, Yates, Netz, Milenkovic, Aina David Raya: A solid display from the Gunners number one.
A great take from a corner in the first half. 6 Ben White: Lots of overlapping runs and solid defensively but no breakthrough. Replaced by Timber. 6 Ezri Konsa: Involved in the physical battle with Delap. Part of the back four that kept a clean sheet mainly thanks to his brilliant injury-time tackle on Delap. 7 Gabriel Magalhaes: Pressured and tested like his centre back partner but stood up to the challenge as he often does. 6 Riccardo Calafiori: A loose pass in the first half which ended with a good Forest attack.
Lots of adventurous runs but did not lead to a goal for the fullback. 6 Declan Rice: Powerful running and energy as expected from the midfielder. Part of an Arsenal midfield that struggled to create. Missed a big chance but played the ball to Madueke for his goal. 7 Bruno Guimaraes: Not the midfielder's best day and he was replaced by Merino. 5 Martin Odegaard: Tried getting on the ball and looked to make things happen.
Could not find the pass to open the Forest defence. 6 Bukayo Saka: Dangerous crosses into the area but not much room to operate as Forest sat deep. 6 Eberechi Eze: This was a big chance for Eze to make the left wing his own but he didn't take it. Subbed at half-time. 5 Kai Havertz: Arsenal were poor going forward despite lots of the ball. Havertz did not offer much and was taken off. 5 Noni Madueke (on 46, Eze): Brought off the bench to add energy and spark to the attack.
Scored the winning goal with a deflected effort. 7 Viktor Gyokeres (on 66, Havertz): Worked hard when he came off the bench. 6 Mikel Merino (on 66, Guimaraes): Tidy and composed in midfield. 6 Jurrien Timber (on 66, White): Provided a cross for a late Rice chance. 6 Subs not used: Meslier, Lewis-Skelly, Mosquera, Zubimendi, Dowman. After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
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