Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table as they recorded a convincing 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
Gabriel Martinelli eased any tension in the Emirates following Thursday’s defeat as he gave the Gunners the lead in the opening exchanges amid a dominant start from the hosts.
The visitors weathered the early storm, however, and slowly worked their way back into the contest before half-time.
An Arsenal blitz at the start of the second half put the game well beyond Forest as substitute Reiss Nelson struck twice before Thomas Partey added a fourth with a thumping finish from distance.
Mikel Arteta rang the changes which established a brief malaise in proceedings before Martin Odegaard bagged Arsenal’s fifth with a fine finish. The skipper’s effort was the final act in a stellar second-half showing from the Gunners, as they bounced back from their defeat to PSV in style.
Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham Forest player ratings
Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their dominant victory over Nottingham Forest.
Goalkeeper & Defenders
William Saliba was back to his best on Sunday. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 6.5/10 – Finally, an Emirates clean sheet for Ramsdale in the Premier League!
Ben White (RB) – 8/10 – Such performances from White are becoming the norm. The Englishman exudes calm on the field, rarely ever looking troubled in possession. He performed well in defensive transition, and had a hand in Martinelli’s opener by getting on the overlap.
William Saliba (CB) – 7.5/10 – This was much more like it from Saliba. The Frenchman dealt with Taiwo Awoniyi handily, matching the striker both physically and stride-for-stride. Back to his best.
Gabriel (CB) – 6.5/10 – Gabriel tried his utmost to gift the visitors an equaliser before half-time as he fed Jesse Lingard in the box for a good chance. The Brazilian was otherwise comfortable in defence and he sought to drive out of the backline in possession when required.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (LB) – 7/10 – A steady performance from the Japanese international, who helped Arsenal overload Forest’s press by almost constantly drifting infield and he looked more comfortable in a central position.
Continued on the next slide…
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<p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/10/30/arsenal-5-0-nottingham-forest-player-ratings/"https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1586738786217639936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 30, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>An Arsenal blitz at the start of the second half put the game well beyond Forest as substitute Reiss Nelson struck twice before Thomas Partey added a fourth with a thumping finish from distance.</p>
<p>Mikel Arteta rang the changes which established a brief malaise in proceedings before Martin Odegaard bagged Arsenal’s fifth with a fine finish. The skipper’s effort was the final act in a stellar second-half showing from the Gunners, as they bounced back from their defeat to PSV in style.</p>
<h2>Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham Forest player ratings</h2>
<p>Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their dominant victory over Nottingham Forest.</p>
<h2>Goalkeeper & Defenders</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-130518" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/10/30/arsenal-5-0-nottingham-forest-player-ratings/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1437700744.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1437700744.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1437700744-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">William Saliba was back to his best on Sunday. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 6.5/10 –</strong> Finally, an Emirates clean sheet for Ramsdale in the Premier League!</p>
<p><strong>Ben White (RB) – 8/10 –</strong> Such performances from White are becoming the norm. The Englishman exudes calm on the field, rarely ever looking troubled in possession. He performed well in defensive transition, and had a hand in Martinelli’s opener by getting on the overlap.</p>
<p><strong>William Saliba (CB) – 7.5/10 –</strong> This was much more like it from Saliba. The Frenchman dealt with Taiwo Awoniyi handily, matching the striker both physically and stride-for-stride. Back to his best.</p>
<p><strong>Gabriel (CB) – 6.5/10 –</strong> Gabriel tried his utmost to gift the visitors an equaliser before half-time as he fed Jesse Lingard in the box for a good chance. The Brazilian was otherwise comfortable in defence and he sought to drive out of the backline in possession when required.</p>
<p><strong>Takehiro Tomiyasu (LB) – 7/10 –</strong> A steady performance from the Japanese international, who helped Arsenal overload Forest’s press by almost constantly drifting infield and he looked more comfortable in a central position.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/10/30/arsenal-5-0-nottingham-forest-player-ratings/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Midfielders </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Midfielders</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-130519" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/10/30/arsenal-5-0-nottingham-forest-player-ratings/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1437709584.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1437709584.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1437709584-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Partey hard. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>Thomas Partey (DM) – 8.5/10 –</strong> While Partey did commit a couple of unforced errors in the build-up, he played a crucial role in ensuring the Gunners maintained their rhythm throughout. The Ghanaian delivered some sumptuous balls in behind the Forest backline, and his goal was a Goal of the Month contender.</p>
<p><strong>Granit Xhaka (CM) – 7/10 –</strong> After struggling in Eindhoven, Xhaka returned to his influential self in this one.</p>
<p><strong>Martin Odegaard (CM) – 7.5/10 –</strong> Odegaard’s impact was somewhat subtle before he crashed home Arsenal’s fifth. The skipper’s movement to receive possession was tremendous, but he wasn’t overly influential in the final third before his goal.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<h2>
</h2><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Forwards</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-130516" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/10/30/arsenal-5-0-nottingham-forest-player-ratings/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1437704879.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1437704879.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1437704879-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal leaves the pitch following an injury during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on October 30, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>Bukayo Saka (RW) – 7/10 –</strong> Started the game superbly before he was forced off midway through the first half with an ankle injury. His replacement didn’t do too badly, though…</p>
<p><strong>Gabriel Jesus (ST) – 8/10 –</strong> Did everything but score (again). The Brazilian set up two of his teammates for goals and he desperately deserved to get on the scoresheet. Relentless.</p>
<p><strong>Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 7.5/10 –</strong> Kicked off Arsenal’s rout with a wonderfully-taken header from Saka’s cross and was a driving force in the second period before being withdrawn.</p>
<h2>Substitutes</h2>
<p><strong>Reiss Nelson – 8/10 – </strong>Well, well, well. How about that, then? Very few would’ve expected Nelson to get minutes on Sunday, let alone score twice!</p>
<p><strong>Cedric Soares – 6/10</strong></p>
<p><strong>Fabio Vieira – 5.5/10</strong></p>
<p><strong>Eddie Nketiah – 5/10</strong></p>
<p><strong>Kieran Tierney – 6/10</strong></p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
