Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners scrape win at City Ground

Arsenal overcame another tough test and poor performance to secure a 1-0 win away to Nottingham Forest.

Mikel Arteta made five changes to the side that defeated Lille 3-0 in the Champions League, bringing in Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz. Jurrien Timber, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino and Viktor Gyökeres all dropped to the bench.

Calafiori almost had a nightmare moment when he gave the ball away to Daniel Muñoz before tracking back well to block his cross, which was kept in play by Liam Delap, but the resulting shot was saved by David Raya.

The Gunners' first big chance came through a corner as Saka's inswinging delivery was met by Calafiori's flick-on at the near post. Gabriel brought it down and improvised with a backheel towards goal, only to see it blocked and cleared.

Both sides had half chances come their way, but neither could capitalise as they went into the break goalless.

Delap went close for Forest just after the break when he was allowed to cut onto his right foot before striking the side netting with a low effort.

Arteta rang the changes after 65 minutes with Jurrien Timber among those introduced to the game. He was almost involved in the opener minutes later, darting into the box to square for Declan Rice in a great position, but he skied his shot.

Just as time looked to be running out for Arsenal, they finally broke the deadlock when Rice played the ball out wide to substitute Noni Madueke. He cut in from the left to strike on his weak foot with his effort deflecting past Matz Sels to put his side in front.

The Gunners saw out the danger from Forest, including a brilliant solo run by Murillo, to secure the victory and end their recent bad luck at the City Ground, moving back up to second in the table.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 7/10 - Got down well to keep out a low shot from Ndoye. Good with claiming corners and crosses into the box, and looked eager to start counterattacks when he could.

Ben White (RB) - 6/10 - Passing was good and made his usual runs upfield, but his advanced position allowed Forest plenty of space on his flank at times. Replaced after 65 minutes.

Ezri Konsa (CB) - 7/10 - Dealt with the Forest frontline relatively well, but was guilty of leaving space at times. Made a brilliant challenge to deny Delap right at the death.

Gabriel Magalhães (CB) - 7/10 - Improvised smartly with a backheel attempt from a corner, but it was cleared. Did really well to keep up with Ndoye and close the angle for a shot in the second-half.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - 6/10 - Gave the ball away to present Forest a chance, but got back well to block it. Nowhere near his best.

Midfielders

Bruno Guimarães (CM) - 6.5/10 - Blocked Williams' strike from a free kick with his head. Covered plenty of ground and battled well, especially in the air, but wasn't quite up to his usual standard. Taken off for the final 25 minutes.

Declan Rice (CM) - 7/10 - Fouled Delap right on the edge of the box to give Forest a free kick in a dangerous position. Found in a great position by Timber, but skied his effort over the crossbar when he should've scored. Played the ball out to Madueke for the opener.

Martin Ødegaard (CM) - 6.5/10 - Looked well off the pace in a pretty quiet performance. Didn't cause any problems with crosses or set piece deliveries, but did cover plenty of ground.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 5.5/10 - Linked up well with Timber to send him into the box with a good through ball. Another worrying showing as he failed to get the better of Forest's defenders.

Kai Havertz (ST) - 5.5/10 - Sent a header from a free kick well over the crossbar despite being in a good position. Pretty absent from the game before being withdrawn after 65 minutes.

Eberechi Eze (LW) - 5/10 - Struggled to get involved and slipped when he picked the ball up in a promising position just outside the Forest box. Brought off at half-time.

Substitutes

• Noni Madueke (on 46' for Eze) - 7/10
• Jurrien Timber (on 66' for White) - 6.5/10
• Viktor Gyökeres (on 66' for Havertz) - 6.5/10
• Mikel Merino (on 66' for Guimarães) - 6.5/10

Player of the match: Gabriel

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