Arsenal Analysed: How we put two past Forest

Tuesday saw us persevere to take a two-goal lead away to Nottingham Forest, before having to protect our win after Taiwo Awoniyi pulled one back late on.

To find out the keys to our success, Adrian Clarke has delved into the tactical and statistical side of the game to find the subtle reasons why we were able to take all three points:

Extreme dominance

Concerned about Arsenal’s ability to carve his side apart, Nuno Espirito Santo abandoned his usual tactical approach by opting to sit in a very low block that denied Mikel Arteta’s forwards space inside the final third.

Nottingham Forest retreated to such a degree that by half time we had amassed an incredible 261 passes inside the final third, compared to just eight from the hosts!

This action areas map highlights the pattern of an opening 45 minutes that saw us camped in and around their 18-yard box. Just 5.4% of that first half was played in our own defensive third.

First half action areas

With precious little room inside the danger zone, Nottingham Forest’s strategy did create a degree of frustration.

Six of our nine attempts on goal were blocked, with clear cut opportunities hard to come by.

Our 37 touches inside the opposition box were also the most we have recorded in a Premier League away match since Opta began keeping records in 2008/09.

Nuno’s tactics made it tough to break his side down, but the bright attitude shown by the players – and the tempo of their passing – will have pleased the manager.

Moments of penetrative play gave hope that our domination would eventually pay off.

Punishing a rare lapse in focus

For the second time this season we broke the deadlock by scoring from a quickly taken throw-in that caught our opponents napping.

At Luton Town it was Gabriel Jesus’ quick thinking that led to a strike from Gabriel Martinelli, but on this occasion, it was our number nine who finished off the move.

Oleksandr Zinchenko sensed that Nottingham Forest were short on bodies and not set properly for the restart (with right back Gonzalo Montiel caught between Jesus and Martinelli) and his swift action ensured we made the most of a rare 4v3 overload.

To his credit Jesus was acutely aware of where the space was in behind him, and after letting the ball run across his body he scored from a tight angle.

This was Forest’s first major lapse in concentration, so it was very pleasing to punish it.

In recent weeks the Gunners have experimented with a selection of new routines from throw-ins, especially deep inside opposition territory.

This goal was pure off-the-cuff instinct from Zinchenko and Jesus though, and it paved the way for a three-point haul.

Saka rounded off clinical turnover

Our match-sealing second goal was also ruthlessly efficient.

Nottingham Forest had sent most of their defenders forward for a corner that we cleared to the halfway line, so for once they were light on numbers at the back.

Montiel’s poor pass was then cut out by Martin Odegaard, who instantly released Jesus to instigate a very rare 4v2 on the transition.

At no other stage of this contest did we enjoy such a numerical advantage, so it was pleasing to maximise the chance, thanks to Bukayo Saka’s rasping right foot drive from Jesus’ pass.

Hale End influence

Saka now has 10+ goals and 10+ assists for the season in all competitions, and he should be pleased with his own performance at the City Ground.

The 22-year-old registered six shots and four key passes, but it was his willingness to drive past full back Harry Toffolo at pace that caught the eye most.

We know Saka is superb when drifting inside onto his stronger left foot, but in this clash he showed greater variety in his skillset, often choosing to carry the ball past the defender on the outside.

This lung-busting sprint down the right (below) set up Odegaard for a half-chance, and it was not the only time he attempted this type of dribble.

When he knocks the ball past his marker and opens his legs, the England international is difficult to stop.

Fellow academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe also shone in parts on only his second Premier League start of the campaign.

Playing as a left-sided number eight, his movements were sharp throughout and he was always hungry to take responsibility by getting onto the ball.

While the bulk of his involvements were on the left side, Smith Rowe was also inclined to wander into central areas. These movements made him harder to track, creating occasional overloads around the box.

From one such run he bent a shot just wide of the top corner from 20 yards.

Smith Rowe touch map

This lovely third man run in the first half saw Smith Rowe run onto a clever Zinchenko slip pass, and from his centre, Jesus flicked a shot over the bar.

During his 71-minute runout Smith Rowe was always bright, and he quickened up the tempo of our build-up play inside Forest territory.

Fluidity down the right

It was great to see Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka combining smoothly and prolifically at the City Ground.

At times this season their interplay not been as fluent as it was in 2022/23, but in this away encounter they were very much on the same wavelength.

These three right-sided teammates shared 86 passes between themselves, with 79 occurring inside the Forest half.

The best move they produced as a collective deserved to create what would have been one of our best goals of the season so far, and it started with a 4v3 out wide.

White picked out Saka with a crisp pass into the area, who smartly backheeled for Odegaard to slide Jesus in behind.

The Brazilian, who was excellent all night, saw his shot agonisingly cannon off the post.

Fortunately, he made amends just minutes later with a fine goal and assist that has kept the pressure on leaders Liverpool.

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