Pain in the Arsenal
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5 reactions from Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest

By Victor Salazar

Arsenal's English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka (R) celebrates scoring the team's second goal with Arsenal's English striker #14 Eddie Nketiah during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 12, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka (R) celebrates scoring the team's second goal with Arsenal's English striker #14 Eddie Nketiah during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 12, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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A win is a win. After being in control and comfortable ahead of their opening Premier League match Saturday afternoon, Arsenal struggled and even limped to a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Dominating the first half and taking a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Eddie Nketiah and a rocket from Bukayo Saka’s left foot, it seemed like the rout was on. Forest countered in the second half on a long untouched run from Anthony Elanga that led to Taiwo Awoniyi halving the deficit in the 82nd minute.

Arsenal hung on for the last 15 and got the win. But it shouldn’t have been as challenging as the Gunners made it.

5 reactions from Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest

Here are five reactions from Saturday’s game.

1. Disappointing win

If there is ever a win that feels disappointing, it was this one. It’s early, but spending £200m and hanging on to a win at home against a side that many predict are going to struggle is disappointing. Forest were the worst-performing away side in the division last season, too.

On Friday we saw the treble winners lay to rest a newly promoted side away from home and never be in any real danger. It felt that was the way Arsenal were going after being up 2-0.

It almost felt like Arsenal took the foot off the pedal and were content with two goals. In a season where we’re chasing one of the best sides in Premier League history, every goal counts – scored or conceded. There was not any real urgency down the stretch to get the third that may have put this match away for good.

Continued on the next slide…

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