Martin Zubimendi scored a brace as Arsenal won 3-0 against Nottingham Forest, spoiling Ange Postecoglou’s debut as their new manager at the Emirates on Saturday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Spain midfielder, who joined from Real Sociedad in the summer, opened the scoring in the first half and sealed the win with a late header.
Viktor Gyokeres netted the second just after the break to keep the Gunners top of the Premier League table on goal difference.
The victory, Arsenal’s third in four matches, lifted them to the top of Premier League table on goal difference ahead of Liverpool, who play Burnley on Sunday.
The win also restored momentum for Mikel Arteta’s side after their 1-0 loss to Liverpool before the international break.
Noni Madueke stood out with an impressive performance, but captain Martin Odegaard’s first-half injury added to Arsenal’s growing list of absentees, which already includes Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and William Saliba.
For Postecoglou, the defeat was a tough return to north London, three months after his Tottenham exit despite guiding Spurs to a Europa League triumph.
Hired only this week after Forest parted ways with Nuno Espirito Santo, the Australian manager was unable to end Forest’s long wait for a win at Arsenal, which stretches back to 1989.
New signing Eberechi Eze made his first Arsenal start, while Declan Rice remained on the bench. Arsenal created early chances through Mikel Merino, but Forest keeper Matz Sels denied him. Odegaard had to leave the pitch after a shoulder knock, replaced by Ethan Nwaneri in the 18th minute.
Arsenal eventually broke through in the 32nd minute when Zubimendi smashed a volley from the edge of the box that deflected past Sels. Seconds into the second half, Eze crossed for Gyokeres, who calmly finished for his third goal since arriving from Sporting Lisbon.
Forest nearly replied through Chris Wood, whose flick hit the bar, while Gyokeres later struck the post. Zubimendi sealed the result in the 79th minute, heading in Leandro Trossard’s cross to cap a dominant display.
