Champions do not always need to sparkle. Arsenal managed a single shot on target at the City Ground on Sunday, and it was enough for a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest that keeps them three points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.
The breakthrough came with ten minutes left. Noni Madueke, sent on at half-time for Eberechi Eze, received a pass from Declan Rice, cut in from the left and let fly. His shot clipped Forest defender Jair Cunha on the way and wrong-footed goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Until then Mikel Arteta’s team had plenty of the ball and very little to show for it. In a first half without a shot on target from either side, Kai Havertz headed a good chance from a Rice free-kick over, and a Gabriel effort was scrambled away near the line. Forest, set up in a compact 5-4-1, defended stubbornly and had Liam Delap as a tireless outlet up front. They also missed their key creator Morgan Gibbs-White with a calf problem.
The hosts had their chances to snatch a point late on. Rice blocked an attempt from substitute Chris Wood, defender Murillo dribbled through and curled just wide in stoppage time, and Ezri Konsa threw himself into a last-ditch tackle to stop Delap.
For Forest and coach Oliver Glasner the afternoon was another frustrating one. The team has still not scored a home league goal this season and has slipped into the relegation zone. Arsenal, whose only league defeat so far came at Brighton, move on to 18 points.
