Arsenal player ratings vs. Nottingham Forest, with one scoring 8/10 and another scoring a remarkable 6/10 in the Premier League opening.
The Gunners won their first Premier League game of the season despite a late fightback from Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal player ratings vs. Nottingham Forest, with one scoring 8/10
Arsenal won their first Premier League game of the season, a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest, thanks to an outstanding first-half strike from Bukayo Saka.
The Gunners took the lead in the 26th minute thanks to Eddie Nketiah’s early goal, before Saka’s superb shot from outside the penalty area highlighted his elegance as the ball beautifully curved into the upper left corner of the net.
Despite their dominance, last season’s Premier League runners-up had to hold off a late rally from Nottingham Forest, who scored in the 83rd minute through substitute Taiwo Awoniyi.
The much anticipated match was delayed by 30 minutes due to technical issues with Emirates Stadium’s e-ticketing system.
Brennan Johnson got through on goal early on, but his shot went high and wide in the away side’s first meaningful chance of the game.
After the half, Forest improved as substitutes Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi combined, with the latter completing an excellent run and cross from the former Manchester United player.
Here’s how we rated the Arsenal players in the 2-1 win:
Aaron Ramsdale – Didn’t have too much to do and couldn’t prevent the consolation goal. 7.
Ben White – White showcased his defensive prowess, offering timely interceptions and composed ball distribution from the backline.
William Saliba – A solid outing for Saliba, who provided stability in defence. 7.
Jurrien Timber – Came off injured in the second half but had a solid performance overall. 7.
Thomas Partey – Distributed the ball effectively and breaking up plays efficiently. 7.
Declan Rice – Exhibited a strong work ethic in midfield, covering ground diligently and aiding in defensive transitions. 7.
Martin Odegaard – The captain led by example, orchestrating Arsenal’s attacks with vision and creativity. 7.
Kai Havertz – Havertz showcased glimpses of his technical ability and contributed well to link-up play in the middle. 7.
Bukayo Saka – Saka stole the show with an impressive performance, scoring a crucial goal and consistently troubling Forest’s defense with his pace and skill. 8.
Gabriel Martinelli – Martinelli’s energetic and determined display added an extra dimension to Arsenal’s attack, creating several opportunities. 7.
Eddie Nketiah – Nketiah was clinical in front of goal, opening the scoring with a well-taken strike and showcasing his poaching instincts. 7.
Subs:
Takehiro Tomiyasu – A solid performance after coming on. 7.
Gabriel – Didn’t have too long to make an impact. N/A.
Leandro Trossard – Made a positive impression after coming on and is pushing for a starting place. 7.
