Arteta avoids banana skin as Arsenal pile pressure on league leaders Liverpool
The City Ground has been the stuff of nightmares for Mikel Arteta.
Two years ago, Amazon's fly-on-the-wall documentary caught Arteta ripping into his players after Nottingham Forest dumped Arsenal out of the FA Cup. Last season, it was where they surrendered the title after a lame defeat.
But this time, Arsenal's victory might just have applied some pressure on leaders Liverpool and breathed life into Arteta's title challenge. Gabriel Jesus scored and provided an assist for Bukayo Saka but Arsenal had to work so hard for the three points and will be grateful for their knack as the Premier League's set-piece specialists.
Arsenal have now scored 14 goals from set pieces which is more than any other team in the top flight and perhaps best reflects the change in their style this season.
Last year's title challenge was all about free-flowing, entertaining football whereas now they are much more methodical and it can be frustrating at times.
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It took them 65 minutes to break the deadlock and by which time you really began to wonder whether they would ever find a way through.
But Oleksandr Zinchenko’s throw-in released Jesus and the Brazil striker fired in a low shot which was diverted in off Forest keeper Matt Turner.
That now means Arsenal have scored ten goals from corners, two from free kicks and another two from throw-ins. No wonder the away end went mad because they had to be patient but the victory when it finally arrived now pushes them up to two points behind Liverpool.
Liverpool have got Chelsea on Wednesday night but then have to go to the Emirates on Sunday and if Arsenal can win that then they can really dream again.
Mikel Arteta with goalscorer Gabriel Jesus (PA)They did have to survive a late scare as Forest substitute Taiwo Awoniyi scored in the 89th minute to set up a nervous finish. But Arsenal saw it out and went back to London feeling as if they might just be getting back in the groove as this was their second straight win but previous to that they had gone four without a win in all competitions.
And, despite thrashing Crystal Palace in their last game, Arsenal do look shot-shy and lacking in imagination. If anything, they look over-coached at times when it would be nice to see them just play with instinctive flair.
Jesus crashed a shot against the post early in the second half after a dull stalemate of an opening 45 minutes. Forest offered very little other than resolute defending.
But the breakthrough finally came. Zinchenko’s throw-in put in Jesus and his cross shot deflected in. It is obvious Arsenal do need a more prolific and reliable centre forward but Jesus was still the hero at the City Ground.
Jesus celebrated in front of the away end and then his night got even better after 72 minutes. Once the seal was broken, there were always going to be more goals.
Forest defender Gonzalo Montiel’s poor pass gave the ball to Martin Odegaard, Jesus led the counter-attack and then fed Saka to cut inside and fire a second goal inside the far post.
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Odegaard flashed another shot high and wide as Arsenal thought it was in the bag - only for Forest to give them a scare. Montiel’s header into the box found Awoniyi held off Arsenal defender Gabriel, turned and then powered a low shot past David Raya in the 89th minute.
The home fans erupted, it got nervous in injury time but Arsenal held on and finished with a much-needed happy night out in Nottingham.
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