Nottingham Forest suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the City Ground on Tuesday, a result that leaves them rooted in the Premier League relegation zone. The decisive moment came ten minutes from time when Arsenal substitute Noni Madueke's shot took a deflection off defender Jair Cunha and wrong-footed goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Forest, now 18th in the league table with just five points from seven matches, produced a disciplined defensive performance but could not find a way past David Raya. The loss extends their winless run at home this season to seven league games, a deepening concern for manager Oliver Glasner. Their recent form reads three consecutive defeats, including this one and a 3-1 loss at Crystal Palace last weekend.
Key moments
Arsenal's only shot on target proved enough for the points. Forest threatened late, with Murillo driving forward in stoppage time and curling an effort narrowly wide. Moments earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi, on as a substitute, had set up Chris Wood, but Declan Rice made a vital block. Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa also made a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Liam Delap deep into added time. "Part of the back four that kept a clean sheet mainly thanks to his brilliant injury-time tackle on Delap," Konsa said of his contribution.
Player performances
Madueke, introduced at half-time for Eberechi Eze, changed the game. "Brought off the bench to add energy and spark to the attack. Scored the winning goal with a deflected effort," he said. For Forest, Delap was a physical nuisance to Arsenal's centre-backs but could not convert his effort. Murillo, who required treatment for a head injury in the first half, almost salvaged a point with his late solo run. Nicolas Dominguez made his first league appearance of the season in midfield, while James McAtee started in place of the injured Morgan Gibbs-White.
Both managers made tactical changes in the second half. Glasner introduced Ibrahim Sangare and Arnaud Kalimuendo after 74 minutes, then Wood and Hudson-Odoi for the final push. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta refreshed his midfield and attack with three changes on 66 minutes, bringing on Jurrien Timber, Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino.
The result leaves Forest with a goal difference of minus four, having scored just five times in seven matches. They have now failed to score in any Premier League game at the City Ground this season. Their next chance to improve that record comes quickly, with a trip to face 10th-placed Ipswich Town in their next fixture on Friday night. Forest will be looking for their first away win of the campaign at Portman Road.
More detail at BBC Sport Football
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his side's blunt display was down to Forest's defensive shape. "They put a Christmas tree [formation] there. There is no space to play," Arteta stated. Forest boss Oliver Glasner felt the 1-0 defeat was harsh, telling reporters his side's performance was "on a top level" defensively. The loss is Forest's third consecutive league defeat, leaving them 18th with five points from seven games. They next face Ipswich Town away on Friday.
