Analysis: Gunners dominate to shake off Liverpool loss
- Published
Arsenal were criticised for their performance in the loss against Liverpool before the international break, but they brushed off that disappointment to dominate against Nottingham Forest.
In response, Mikel Arteta named an attacking side with Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke either side of striker Viktor Gyokeres.
In midfield, Mikel Merino was handed a start, after scoring a hat-trick against Turkey for Spain while on international duty, alongside Martin Odegaard as Arsenal looked to take control of the game.
Martin Zubimendi, there to link up the play, scored two goals in the same game for the first time in his top-flight club career.
Madueke, fresh from scoring his first England goal, continued that good form and was the Gunners' standout player.
He was positive whenever he was on the ball and provided an outlet for his team. And Forest, following an injury to Murillo, moved Neco Williams to left-back in an attempt to keep Madueke quiet.
Madueke was replaced to a standing ovation while the supporters inside the stadium sang his name.
Cristhian Mosquera started alongside centre-back Gabriel in place of William Saliba, who is continuing his recovery from an ankle problem, and also put in an impressive performance.
David Raya also reached a milestone as he made his 100th appearance for Arsenal and kept his 42nd clean sheet.