Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

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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Gabriel was benched for “tactical reasons”. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Gabriel was benched for “tactical reasons”. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

4. Gabriel on the bench

After starting every Premier League game this season, Gabriel was dropped to the bench on Saturday as Mikel Arteta went with a back line of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Ben White, and Thomas Partey.

Maybe it was a message sent to Gabriel that although he may be a very good centre-back, concentration mistakes like the one that lead to a goal in the Manchester United friendly will not go unnoticed. It was an interesting lineup selection and maybe not Arsenal’s strongest in defence. However, Arteta subbed him on late when it felt like Forest were close to equalising to protect the three points.

Gabriel is definitely going to be starting moving forward whether this was a message being sent or an experiment by the manager.

5. Bukayo Saka is only 21… take it in

No doubt Arsenal’s best player and the deserved Man of the Match. A lot of the attack flowed through him down the right. His pairing with Partey and Ben White down his flank gave Forest issues throughout the first half, in particular.

Once Odegaard found his way into the match, it was all but inevitable a goal would come from the right flank. It came. A rocket to the top right corner from Saka’s left foot. Former Arsenal keeper Matt Turner had no chance.

As Saka enjoys the last couple of months being 21, the Hale End product is only going to get better and that is scary for the opposition.

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