3 positives and negatives from Arsenal's battling 2-1 win away to Nottingham Forest

• Another late goal conceded

• Excellent Emile Smith Rowe

• Passion, passion and more passion

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal FC - Premier League / Michael Regan/GettyImages
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Positive #3: Passion in abundance

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mikel Arteta
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal FC - Premier League / Michael Regan/GettyImages

At full-time, Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko had to be separated after what looked like a fiery exchange of words after the Gunners conceded a late goal.

While it is never nice to see teammates 'fighting', especially in such a public manner, there was something very warming about how much it meant to the players to have conceded, despite still winning the game.

There is a fine line to be drawn to ensure that passion can be shown in this manner without impacting on squad or player morale, with Arteta saying after the game, when asked about the incident: "That’s pushing each other and not being happy, conceding nothing. I have to encourage that & promote it in the right way, in a respectful way."


Negative #3: Potential Jesus fitness concern

Gabriel Jesus
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal FC - Premier League / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

After being involved in both of our goals against Nottingham Forest, Jesus was substituted in the 78th minute, and Arteta's post-match comments have raised some mild concern over the striker's fitness.

He confirmed that the Brazilian has been suffering from fluid on his knee and was in a race to be involved today, which he won, but this does raise some doubt over how much we can rely on him moving forward, especially given his already poor injury record.

It is clear that the 26-year-old is doing his all to be able to be fit for the Gunners, but it does raise serious questions over the club's decision to not sign a striker during the January transfer window, with our attack potentially one injury away from disaster.


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