Madueke winner lifts Arsenal past Nottingham Forest at City Ground

Noni Madueke came off the bench to score the decisive goal as Arsenal defeated Nottingham Forest 1–0 at the City Ground on Sunday. According to Sky Sports, the visitors won with their only attempt on target, leaving Forest without a home league goal this season despite several late opportunities to equalise.

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AS reported that the breakthrough arrived in the 80th minute after Arsenal had struggled to create clear openings. Madueke moved infield from the left and shot, with the ball striking Jair Cunha before beating goalkeeper Matz Sels. The deflection settled a contest in which Arsenal had enjoyed possession but found Forest's defence difficult to penetrate.

BBC Sport's account described a first half in which Forest restricted Arsenal's attacking players. Bukayo Saka delivered crosses but had little space, while Eberechi Eze was unable to make an impact on the opposite flank. Forest also had an early opening after a loose pass from Riccardo Calafiori, although Dan Ndoye failed to put his effort on target.

Mikel Arteta changed his attack at the interval, replacing Eze with Madueke. Further substitutions followed in the 66th minute as Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino and Viktor Gyokeres replaced Ben White, Bruno Guimaraes and Kai Havertz respectively. BBC Sport reported that Timber subsequently supplied a chance for Declan Rice, who missed but later provided the pass for Madueke's winning goal.

Forest continued to threaten after falling behind. Sky Sports reported that Callum Hudson-Odoi found substitute Chris Wood in the 89th minute, only for Rice to block his shot. Murillo then carried the ball forward and curled narrowly wide in stoppage time. Ezri Konsa made another important intervention moments later, preventing Liam Delap from scoring with a late challenge that protected Arsenal's lead.

The result returned Arsenal to second place and kept them three points behind Manchester City, according to AS's match report. Sky Sports put Arsenal's total at 18 points and reported that Forest had dropped into the relegation zone. For the hosts, a competitive defensive performance again ended without the goal needed to secure a result.