Arsenal collided with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, causing the story to burst in the seams.
Ange Postecoglou was recently appointed boss of the forest, and given his past relationship with the Spurs, he returned to British football and had some pre-match jitters that upset Mikel Arteta’s side.
It’s safe to say that the Spaniard has confirmed this weekend that it’s not a scenario, even if he’s not injured.
Arsenal’s starting XI didn’t include any injured William Saliba or Bukayo Saka, but Martin Odegard limped early in the lawsuit with a shoulder injury.
That was not important for the North Londoner who defeated Ange and Co 3-0, courtesy of Martin Zubimendi’s Double and Viktor Gyoker’s third goal in four matches.
In defense, Arsenal’s backline barely sniffed the visitors, but in the final third they were unforgiving, mainly thanks to their new signatures.
How Arsenal’s new signature was different for Nottingham Forest
Last season, the gunner hit an injury, especially the forward line.
Saka missed most of the campaign and meant that, as Kai Herberts and Gabriel Jesus had, they had to play at the top with Mikel Merino.
Coincidentally, Arsenal joined the game again without the trio. They also came to meet without Star Center Back Saliva.
In the past year, those kinds of absences have hindered Arteta’s side, but not on Saturday.
On the back, Christian Mosquera has an incredible performance, at £13 million, making him look like one of the biggest bargain signatures in the Premier League this summer.
At Anfield two weeks ago, the Spaniard was forced into the game early due to Saliba’s injuries, and his first Test in British football was impressive, even if he lost 1-0 to Liverpool.
Two weeks later, Mosquera was part of the backline and held the clean sheets he earned. He looked like the best defender on that pitch.
Mosquera is fast, he is offensive, he is composer, and more than anything, he is Butler. Against the forest, he barely got his foot wrong and eventually won three of his four duels.
In the middle of the park, fellow Spaniards and fellow new signatures Zubimendi were amazing. His finishing rocket opened up points and he rounded out a great victory by winning only the third header of his senior career.
Gyoker also caught his eye. The Swedes attracted criticism in the early weeks of the season, but there is one simple fact. He is a scorer. No player scored more goals on the top flight this season after Arsenal defeated Forest.
His supply line is probably the best it’s all season, thanks to the duo who was evoking memories of Saka and Emile Smith Lowe. You know what the song will turn out.
Arsenal’s new Saka and Smith Lowe
When Arteta became Arsenal Manager, it was not an easy adaptation period. In the end, this was his first job as a head coach.
But with Saka and Smith Lowe, he found a new set of heroes that carry the opening phase of his project at Emirates Stadium.
The latter may have been hampered by injuries before joining Fulham, but Saka has gone to new heights.
He is now one of the best wingers in the world and certainly one of the most creative. No player created more scoring opportunities per 90 minutes in the division than Saka last season.
So when he was injured in his Leeds victory last month, panic began.
Well, courtesy of Noni Maduke, the summer signature of £55 million, they found a player who could emulate Saka’s finest qualities.
Against Liverpool, the former Chelsea man appears to be Arsenal’s most vibrant forward, and the same can be said about his exhibit against Forest this weekend.
Madueke may not have scored or supported, but he was caught in this confident encounter after finding the net at his English duties last week. That certainly showed.
The 23-year-old was a totally relentless and shy Morato on his right flank every time he was faced with one-on-one situations.
Maduke also showed his ability to try a whopping 8 dribblings during the game, completing and creating five. Like Saka, England International was a constant live wire, beating his man for fun and also offered five key passes during the game.
For several seasons, Arteta has been screaming for someone who can produce authentic quality as a backup to Saka, and they have now found that person.
He appears to explode with electricity, replacing the blue side of London with the red side.
Madueke vs. Forest | |
|---|---|
I played a few minutes | 78 |
shot | 0 |
The dribbling was successful | 5/8 |
touch | 65 |
The exact path | 22/31 |
Key Pass | 5 |
Accurate intersection | 4 |
The duel won | 10 |
Tackle | 3 |
Statistics via Sofascore. | |
Madueke didn’t leave the game with goals and assists, but Ebebeki Eze did it in the club’s first start.
Given the nod to Gabriel Martinelli, the £60 million summer arrival paid off the manager’s faith with a cracked display on his left flank. Eze regularly skipped past players and, like Madueke, was a constant threat.
Eze and Madueke have two players who appear to be Arsenal’s new Saka and Smithrow. They certainly had as much fun as the boys in the club’s hale end poster.
It was a former palace man who offered Gyoker the strike. Eze exploded behind, reaching the end of the gorgeous loftball from Riccardo Calfioli.
Deciding on his actions, the 27-year-old didn’t have to beat the ball. Instead, he played his first ball over the box, with Gyoker playing to fire the house from close range.
Once upon a time, Saka and Smith Lowe were running through the show on attacks. Saka still does it for a while, but Eze and Madueke prove that there is life elsewhere. Arsenal has the depth needed to truly seek great honor in 2025/26.
