5 standout Arsenal players from opening day victory over Forest
![LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrates an Arsenal goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrates an Arsenal goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9d8ecb684bb33a959c06ff02db1faa43f986703174621d9077c8a97cfeabe961.jpg)
3. Martin Odegaard
Arsenal’s captain had another great game, pulling the strings in midfield. He showcased his intricacy and his play between the lines. He excels in tight spaces, which is great for when Arsenal face deep blocks.
He keeps the team ticking and is always available to receive the ball. The White-Odegaard-Saka triangle was not always on display as Partey started as the right back but the Norwegian’s connection with Saka was as evident as ever.
He didn’t score or assist but still put in a very solid and useful display, on and off the ball.
4. Eddie Nketiah
Mikel Arteta on Nketiah scoring: “Delighted for him. He was so disappointed with the absence of Gabby & not to play a final [Community Shield]. The way he trained this week, he was telling me, ‘Gaffer, if I don’t play, you are blind’.” [@HaytersTV] #afc pic.twitter.com/kr0AKvUzBo
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 12, 2023
Eddie took his chance ruthlessly for the first goal, albeit with a slight deflection. It was the killer instinct that I really wanted him to show. Nketiah tends to play his best when he is battling for his place in the team and that was the case against Forest.
His pressing is always exemplary and his runs in the channels caused real problems for Forest’s defence. Combined with Havertzs’ off-the-ball movement, Arsenal players were popping up anywhere and everywhere, and it was impossible to deal with, especially in the first half.
According to Arteta, he performed incredibly well in training this week and warranted his place in the team. Eddie has continuously improved for the past two years and if he keeps going on this trajectory, he could easily be a 20+ goals-a-season striker very soon.
Continued on the next slide…