Admirable Nelson is the hero as five-star Gunners fell Forest Ve-star Gunners fell Forest
THERE were two years and 107 days between Reiss Nelson’s first league goal for Arsenal and his second. And three minutes and one second between Nelson’s league goals No2 and No3. That’s what you call a response — and so was this. Arsenal dropped two points at Southampton last Sunday, were beaten by PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League, lost their place at the top of the table to Manchester City on Saturday – and then, what a comeback. The perfect riposte, an emphatic home win and back on top within 24 hours. Next it’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which will be a test of more significance, but this was impressive, certainly given Nottingham Forest’s last outing brought a win over Liverpool.
There was never going to be a repeat of that here. Forest enjoyed a brief revival before half-time when Arsenal seemed affected by the loss of Bukayo Saka to injury, but Nelson took the game away from them at the start of the second half. Nelson was the unlikely man of the moment, on for the stricken Saka. Just 22, he’s part of the clutch of impressive youngsters that have propelled
Arsenal to the summit. Unlike Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, he’s been unable to claim a regular first-team berth. Credit Mikel Arteta for turning to him after 27 minutes. He could have played it safe, but went like for like on young forwards and was rewarded. Nelson’s goals were both lovely finishes and set Arsenal up for a comfortable conclusion. Four second-half goals in less than 30 minutes dispatched Forest, but Nelson’s two in three decided the game. For the first, five minutes after half-time, his shot brought a fine save from Dean Henderson before he angled the rebound into the far top corner. His first league goal in an Arsenal shirt since scoring against Liverpool on July 15, 2020.
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‘Hopefully not. It was a bad kick. Right from the beginning he was limping, but I don’t see any further than that.
Let’s see how he is in the next couple of days.’ With Saka went Arsenal’s momentum, for the rest of the half at least. He set up the goal that gave them the lead after four minutes, his low cross teeing up Martinelli to put Arsenal ahead from their first attack.
Martinelli’s run was exceptional, getting between Forest’s row of defenders and stooping low to send his header past Henderson. It was Saka’s 20th Premier League assist – only Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney have reached that milestone at a younger age. Arsenal’s start nearly got even better five minutes later. Saka again, threading the ball to Jesus whose curling shot flew just wide.
The pressure continued to build, Saka’s cross finding Takehiro Tomiyasu – now seemingly ahead of Kieran Tierney in Arsenal’s trio of left-backs – whose shot was deflected over. Then came the injury and Saka’s final involvement.