Arsenal are back up to second in the Premier League (PL) table, following a 1-0 victory at the City Ground that made it a ninth win for the Gunners in the last 12 top-flight head-to-heads.
The visitors held plenty of possession early on, but the Tricky Trees made it difficult for them to find a route to goal and Liam Delap tried to create problems going the other way. Matz Sels tipped a Bukayo Saka cross away in the 10th minute, yet Forest had the game’s first shot following a mistake from Riccardo Calafiori, as the ball was kept alive after the Italian recovered to get a touch on Daniel Munoz’s cross and Dan Ndoye saw his shot tipped wide by David Raya.
There was a break in play so Murillo could receive treatment for a head injury, but he was soon back in position to put Gabriel Magalhaes under pressure as the Brazilian’s instinctive backheel hit Ezri Konsa. The centre-back was then in position to make a block at the correct end and deny Delap’s ambitious shot, before Kai Havertz headed harmlessly off target from a Declan Rice free-kick and shot into the side netting from a tight angle.
Arsenal celebrating goal against Forest
Delap did well to win a free-kick near the edge of Arsenal’s box, but Bruno Guimaraes got his head in front of Neco Williams’ strike, and Murillo’s bicycle kick attempt moments before half-time was easily saved.
