Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest: Depth on display

Match report – Player ratings – Arteta reaction – Video

I tried to imagine how it might have gone in the not too distant past if Arsenal played a game without Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and William Saliba because they were injured. How it might have gone with Declan Rice, Ben White, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli all on the bench. What way we might have struggled after losing Martin Odegaard so early on.

Yesterday was a demonstration of Arsenal’s new-found depth, because without all of those players – most of whom have been absolutely fundamental to our best form and performances – we cruised through a game against Nottingham Forest and were deserved winners. Yes, they’re in a bit turmoil having sacked their very good manager and brought in a former Sp*rs boss, but still. Credit where it’s due, m8.

Mikel Arteta started Cristhian Mosquera for the first time, and deployed an all new front three of Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, and Viktor Gyokeres, who have never played together before. Odegaard suffering a recurrence of his shoulder injury after another awkward landing meant another early change with Ethan Nwaneri replacing the captain in the 17th minute.

On the right, Madueke enjoyed himself against the Forest left back, driving beyond him at will seemingly, and demonstrating a relentless drive that eventually paid dividends. Between the 28th and 32nd minute we had four corners. Madueke’s delivery from the left was consistently good, and in the absence of Rice on the other side, Eze stuck one right under the crossbar which led to the corner from which we opened the scoring.

I don’t know if it is officially categorised as a goal from a set-piece. I don’t think that really does it justice, to be honest. Forest headed it clear to the edge of the D, but Martin Zubimendi was waiting to unleash a superb volley which skimmed the head of a defender before hitting the back of the net. An absolutely sensational strike, and what a way for him to open his Arsenal account. It was a goal that came at a good time too. We’d been on top without really making clear cut chances, so this eased the pressure in that sense.

At the other end there was a brief flash of danger in our box when Morgan Gibbs-White was played in, but superb defending from Jurrien Timber prevented him getting his shot on target. And early in the second period, it was 2-0. Riccardo Calafiori, who had spent the first half playing here, there, and everywhere, found himself in Gabriel’s position. He played a lovely ball over the top for Eze whose first time cross was tucked away by Gyokeres. It’s always good to score, but when you see the shoots of a relationship develop between two players who are going to be very important for us, it’s even better.

I also think it’s a pleasing goal because it’s not the kind we score often enough. Calafiori picks the ball up here, and 9 seconds later it’s in the back of the net.

I’m not saying we go route-one all the time, but a bit more directness, particularly with some of our forward options now, wouldn’t be a bad thing. And you could see Calafiori looking to make that pass, looking for the runner down the line, so you have to think this is stuff they’ve been working on a bit.

I don’t think there was ever any chance Forest mounted a comeback, but Chris Wood almost fluked one in off his nipple. David Raya got fingertips on it before it came off the bar, and Mosquera (more on him anon) made a great tackle to prevent a close range shot on goal from the rebound. Arteta made changes with Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly coming on for Gyokeres and Calafiori, before Trossard and Martinelli replaced the two wide men. The former then provided the assist for the third goal, a smart header from Zubimendi which absolutely sealed the game. He might well be a more peripheral figure this season, but I would much rather we had the Belgian international in the squad than €20m which was reportedly (but not very seriously) on offer from a club in Turkey. Players make goals, not cash in the bank.

Afterwards, a pleased Arteta spoke about the depth available to him, and its impact on yesterday’s game:

If we hadn’t done that with the injuries that we have, unfortunately some of them are very difficult to control, we’d be in a very different place. We knew that that was the standard of the other teams in the league and in Europe, and you can see that. I’m very happy because it gives us options, it gives us the capacity as well to change games, to have presence in the team. Now we have to make sure that everybody feels connected and important.

I thought he was very interesting when explaining why he chose Mikel Merino over Declan Rice in midfield too, saying:

Mikel comes back after scoring four goals in two games [for Spain] with a really high emotional state and I want to use that when a player is in that moment. I want to play him because he’s going to bring something different with the qualities that they have and Declan comes in and it will have an impact immediately or he’ll play the next game. That’s what we need to try to manage the best possible way.

I like that. I thought Merino was really good yesterday, far from just another DM with some of his footwork and movement, but we also have a big week ahead. Athletic Club on Tuesday, then Man City next weekend. Do we get a better Rice if he doesn’t have to play 90 minutes in every game leading up to the big one against City? Probably. And this is how this season is going to go. Even with the injuries, there was still no room for Christian Norgaard on the bench yesterday, and there are going to be players who aren’t as involved as they’d like simply because of our numbers. It’s something that will require serious management from Arteta, but as I’ve said often, he’ll relish that challenge far more than the alternative which, if you need reminding of last season, is having nothing much on the bench to change games when you really need it.

A word too for Mosquera who, on his first Arsenal start, was really impressive. We got a flavour of his talent when he had to come on at Anfield and didn’t look remotely out of place, but the best compliment I can pay him this morning is that it looked as if the manager said ‘Go out there and do your best William Saliba impression’, and he knocked it out of the park. He has the kind of composure and presence you rarely see in defenders of that age, and his reading of the game yesterday was impeccable. Early days obviously, but what a snip he looks at €15m.

You could go through the team and give almost everyone their flowers. I thought Calafiori was very good again; Timber an absolute Pit bull of a full-back who must be a nightmare to play against; Zubimendi’s end product was lovely icing for the cake of his overall performance; and there was a lot to like about Eze and Madueke who bring different qualities to the wide areas. All in all, a very solid day’s work, and attention now turns to the Champions League on Tuesday.

Right, I’ll leave it there for now. I’m heading to Bilbao later for that game, but don’t worry, we have an Arsecast Extra for you already. James and I recorded last night, so find it below or in all the usual podcast places. Enjoy!

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