‘A Win We Didn’t Have In The Last Two Seasons’: Arteta Hails Arsenal’s ‘Big Win’ At Forest

Mikel Arteta has described Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday as a ‘hard-fought but well-deserved’ win after Noni Madueke’s second-half strike secured all three points at the City Ground.

Madueke, introduced at half-time, scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute as Arsenal continued their impressive start to the 2026/27 Premier League season, collecting 18 points from a possible 21.

The victory was particularly satisfying for Arteta, with Arsenal having drawn 0-0 on each of their previous two visits to Forest.

‘A big win,’ Arteta said after the match. ‘A win that we didn’t have in the last two seasons at a really tough place.’

The Arsenal manager acknowledged that his side had to remain patient against a Forest team that proved difficult to break down, with clear-cut chances limited for much of the contest.

He said the Gunners needed to increase their attacking threat after the break without allowing frustration to undermine their discipline.

‘In the second half we had to play a completely different game; stay very far from any frustration, elevate the level of threat and risk that we would have to take,’ Arteta said.

‘But at the same time, be very composed and disciplined to make sure that the game doesn’t open up and lose it.’

Arteta credited his substitutes with helping Arsenal find the breakthrough, highlighting their ability to stretch Forest and increase the pressure around the penalty area.

‘Being very patient and being really convinced that at some point we were going to break them down,’ he said.

‘And again, the finishers were critical.’

Madueke made the difference after coming on at half-time, cutting in from the left before finding the net for his second goal of the season.