Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest with their only shot on target

Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the Premier League with their only shot on target, leaving them three points behind leaders Manchester City. For Forest, the defeat means a place in the relegation zone. Noni Madueke’s deflected effort decided the match.

Arsenal struggled for much of the game to turn possession into chances. They had no shots on target in the first half, while Forest defended resolutely and looked to threaten on the counter. In the 19th minute, a mistake by Riccardo Calafiori gave Dan Ndoye an opening, but his shot hit the side netting.

Arsenal are 2nd with 18 points, while Nottingham are 18th with 5 points, a 13-point gap.

Mikel Arteta brought on Madueke at the break. After a long spell in which Arsenal could not find a way through, the winger cut in from the left and shot. His effort took a deflection off Jair Cunha, wrong-footed Matz Sels and found the net: Forest 0-1 Arsenal. It was the Gunners’ only shot on target in the match.

The changes after the interval did not immediately open up the game. Arsenal brought on Jurrien Timber, Viktor Gyökeres and Mikel Merino. Forest still had opportunities: in the 89th minute, Callum Hudson-Odoi set up Chris Wood, but Declan Rice blocked the shot. In stoppage time, Murillo surged forward on a solo run and came close to an equaliser, curling narrowly wide. At 90+3, Konsa also made a vital challenge to deny Delap.

The win takes Arsenal to 18 points, three behind Manchester City. For Forest, the frustration deepens as the defeat leaves them in the relegation zone.