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Arsenal survive late Forest scare to begin season with a win

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Arsenal's English striker #14 Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring the opening goal
Arsenal's English striker #14 Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring the opening goalProfimedia
For the first time in history, Nottingham Forest have lost their opening league game in five successive seasons, as Arsenal inflicted a 2-1 defeat upon them as they begin their quest to end their 20-year title drought.

An issue with Arsenal’s new ticketing system resulted in a 30-minute delay to kick-off in this season opener, and could perhaps offer some mitigating circumstances for the slow start the hosts made.

In fact, the Gunners were lucky not to fall behind early on, when some statue-esque defending allowed Brennan Johnson to ghost in behind, but when faced one-on-one with Aaron Ramsdale, Forest’s talisman skewed his effort well off target.

How Forest were left to rue that missed opportunity too, as a first-half blitz from Arsenal all but laid the game to rest before the break.

Arsenal's English striker #14 Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring the opening goal
Arsenal's English striker #14 Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring the opening goalAFP

Some eye-catching footwork from Gabriel Martinelli opened up a shooting chance for Eddie Nketiah, and the youngster made no mistake in firing past former Gunners ‘keeper Matt Turner

It was proving to be a rather traumatic return to the Emirates for Turner, who was picking the ball out of his next moments later too when Bukayo Saka curled home a sumptuous effort to double Arsenal’s advantage.

Arsenal attacking thirds
Arsenal attacking thirdsOpta by Stats Perform / AFP

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Arsenal though, who lost Jurrien Timber to injury early in the second half - a far from ideal moment for Mikel Arteta who faces the prospect of having lost one of his big-money summer signings on the opening day.

Nottingham Forest's English midfielder #22 Ryan Yates vies with Arsenal's German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz
Nottingham Forest's English midfielder #22 Ryan Yates vies with Arsenal's German midfielder #29 Kai HavertzAFP

In truth, Forest were lucky not to be more than two goals behind, with Arsenal spurning a hatful of openings to extend their lead, but taking advantage of that reprieve was proving problematic for a goal-shy Forest, whose only meaningful chance on goal after Johnson’s earlier miss was an Ola Aina pop-shot from 25-yards.

After a disappointing end to last season saw Arsenal throw away a healthy lead at the Premier League summit, conceding a late goal to allow Forest back into the game would’ve had Mikel Arteta twitchy.

Nottingham Forest's Swedish midfielder #21 Anthony Elanga celebrates scoring the team's first goal
Nottingham Forest's Swedish midfielder #21 Anthony Elanga celebrates scoring the team's first goalAFP

Taiwo Awoniyi struck the goal for Forest following some impressive work from Anthony Elanga in the build up, but that strike proved to be nothing more than a consolation for the Tricky Trees, whose winless run at Arsenal extended to a whopping 13 games.

Match stats
Match statsOpta by Stats Perform

Flashscore Man of the Match: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

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