The England international opened their title defense with three crucial points on a beautiful long-range goal.
The 2023–24 Premier League season for Arsenal began on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates. Despite controlling the game for more than 80 minutes, the Gunners were left hanging at the end.
The visitors had the finest opportunity in the first period, but Brennan Johnson missed the net despite being clean through on goal.
Soon after, Eddie Nketiah scored after Gabriel Martinelli displayed incredible technique on the left wing, giving Arsenal the lead. Bukayo Saka then doubled their advantage with a fantastic long-range goal.
When Taiwo Awoniyi turned in a cut-back from Anthony Elanga, who had just led a breakaway from inside his own half, a rout appeared to be certain at that point.
However, despite a few more tense moments, Arsenal managed to hold on and begin their title defense with three crucial points. The players for Mikel Arteta are rated according to GOAL’s standards below.
Aaron Ramsdale (5/10):
A man who is in the spotlight due to David Raya’s impending visit and who lacks confidence. had virtually nothing to do in the first half, yet Johnson still sent the ball over the crossbar when his backline was exposed. He appeared weak at set pieces after the break, and at one point, he almost got caught on the ball. However, he was powerless to stop the late goal Arsenal conceded.
Thomas Partey (5/10):
White’s unexpected switch to the center led to his selection at right-back, but he had no problems for the entire 80 minutes because Arsenal controlled possession to the point where he could play in front of the defense as usual. But when Elanga made a clean break down the left flank to set up Awoniyi for the goal, he was nowhere to be found.
Ben White (6/10):
Since Gabriel was sitting on the bench, he was given the opportunity to play at center back. Despite being impressive in possession, he was utterly blindsided by Awoniyi’s movement on the Forest goal.
William Saliba (6/10):
Returning to the club after missing the last two months of the previous season due to injury, he appeared a touch rusty, especially when Johnson broke in on goal early on. Nevertheless, Saliba was awarded a point for the assist on Saka’s pass.
Jurrien Timber (6/10):
Just before the first half ended, he hurt himself while fouling Johnson. Although he returned after the break, he only played for four more minutes until Takehiro Tomiyasu took his place. The Dutchman was performing just as admirably as he had in the Community Shield, which was a genuine tragedy.
Martin Odegaard (5/10):
Not even close to his powerful best. Even though his passing wasn’t up to par, he nevertheless frequently picked out teammates who were in perilous situations in the box.
Declan Rice (6/10):
The much-hyped summer acquisition of Arsenal was by no means brilliant; he dropped the ball more often than he would have liked. He did, however, make a lot of tackle wins and was unfortunate not to score at least once, with one excellent attempt being deflected into the post by Turner.
Kai Havertz (5/10):
I can’t criticize his effort or his eagerness to help. Additionally, despite being put in front in the final stages, he handled it effectively. But there was simply no finish line, as is so frequently the case with the former Chelsea player.
Bukayo Saka (8/10):
Saka was a persistent threat down the right flank and scored an incredible goal to extend Arsenal’s lead. Saka cut inside before expertly bending the ball into the top corner of the Forest net.
Eddie Nketiah (7/10):
Due to Gabriel Jesus’s unavailability, he was given the opportunity to start up front and seized it by scoring the game’s opening goal halfway through the first half. He received some help from Joe Worrall’s slight deflection, but he earned his good fortune for the way he had made room for himself to shoot.
Gabriel Martinelli (8/10):
has continued where he left off in the previous season, much like Saka. Every time the Brazilian had the ball, you could tell he was going to do something, and his assist to Nketiah on the back heel of a lavish pirouette that got him past two defenders was amazing.