Five Things We Learnt From the Forest Game

Arsenal took themselves back to the top of the Premier League table with a whopping 5-0 dismantling of Nottingham Forest. Let’s have a look at what we learnt.

Reiss Nelson stayed ready.

He had only started in twelve games since the 2018 season, with his last outing being as a substitute in Arsenal’s season-opening 2-0 loss to Brentford last season.

After a loan at Feyenoord where he contributed six goals and assists in 21 games, Bukayo Saka’s injury and substitution in the 27th minute was the perfect opportunity for Reiss to show what he’s got.

We thought he’d thrive under Emery, we thought he’d thrive under Arteta and it has taken a while but his two goals and assists in 63 minutes showed that maybe Arsenal aren’t as short in the RW position as we thought.

Thomas Partey. Long shots. They finally go together.

Just past the two year anniversary of Thomas Partey putting pen to paper, it seems as if the Ghanaian international has finally adapted to the height of the cross bar.

After a long two years of watching shots fly over the bar, Partey’s pearler against Tottenham and now against Forest puts a lot more hope in the hearts of Arsenal fans and hopefully more fear into the hearts of our opposition.

Losing to PSV leads to big consequences

Saka’s injury is proof that Arteta needs to start resting players, but this leaves the gaffer with a major decision. Following Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to PSV in the Europa League, the Gunners are two points clear of PSV at the top of the group with a game remaining.

Whilst Arsenal have qualified for the next round of the competition, it is important that Mikel Arteta’s men secure the top spot. This would mean that Arsenal would receive a bye round, not having to play in a knockout fixture when all of the Champions League clubs drop down into the Europa League.

This is the decision at hand – do you play some of your strongest players against Zurich and leave no doubt of finishing in the top spot, or do you rest some of the players in order to field a strong side against Chelsea, risking an extra fixture which will not only further tire out the players but also increase the chance of facing much harder opposition and possibly even dropping out fo the competition.

Arteta’s selection of who to rest against Forest might be an insight to who plays against Zurich. This would mean the likes of Saliba, Xhaka and Martinelli may start amongst others such as Reiss Nelson, Marquinhos, Tierney and Rob Holding.

Whichever side is fielded at the Emirates, it should still be enough to be triumphant.

Jesus’ goal drought is not cause for concern.

He hasn’t scored in his last seven games but this is certainly not setting off panic alarms. Although he seemed to lack confidence against Forest, Jesus brings much more than goals to the Arsenal attack.

It was most evident against Leeds in the way that he dropped quite deep into the midfield to help the Gunners retain possession and beat the opposition press. Xhaka is granted the freedom to get further up the pitch at the expense of Jesus’ goal tally.

He holds five goals and five assists after twelve appearance – a very solid return and with a player of his caliber, he will be sure to regain form shortly.

Early updates on Saka’s injury.

Bukayo Saka’s injury doesn’t seem serious at this stage. Arsenal’s starboy started limping after a tackle from Renan Lodi, looked to walk it off and later nearly slipped off the side of the pitch following a corner. He came off in the 27th minute.

Mikel Arteta said that the club has deemed the main concern to just be a knock from the tackle by Renan Lodi, implying that Saka’s substitution was precautionary. The Hale End graduate will most likely not feature in the midweek Europa League fixture in an attempt to secure his fitness for the match against Chelsea, who he loves to score against.