Arsenal vs Nottm Forest: Martín Zubimendi scores twice and Viktor Gyökeres adds a header as Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 3–0 at the Emirates. Read the full Arsenal vs Nottm Forest recap, injury news (Ødegaard), player stats, tactical analysis, and where to watch Arsenal F.C. vs Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal cruised to a confident 3–0 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on Saturday — a result that showcased new signings, squad depth, and the kind of mid-September momentum Mikel Arteta’s side will happily build on. Martín Zubimendi was the star, scoring a spectacular volley and later heading home his second, while Viktor Gyökeres added an early second-half strike. The win temporarily lifted Arsenal to the top of the table and also came with a worrying early injury to captain Martin Ødegaard.
Below you’ll find a full, SEO-optimized breakdown of the match — from key moments to tactical insight, player grades, viewing options (Where to Watch Arsenal F.C. vs Nottingham Forest), suggested authoritative sources, and a feature image concept for publishing.
Quick scoreboard (TL;DR)
Arsenal 3 — Nottingham Forest 0 (Emirates Stadium, Sept 13, 2025).
Goals: Zubimendi 32′, Gyökeres 46′, Zubimendi 79′.
Key notes: Ødegaard forced off injured early; Arsenal dominated possession and created multiple chances; Postecoglou’s Forest struggled in his managerial debut amid a disruptive week for the visitors.
Match snapshot — what happened, in plain English
Arsenal grew into the game and took a deserved lead through Martín Zubimendi’s stunning volley from the edge of the box shortly before half-time. Nottingham Forest briefly threatened at times — Chris Wood hit the bar and Morgan Gibbs-White had moments — but Arsenal’s control of tempo and high pressing frustrated any consistent Forest rhythm. Twenty-three seconds into the second half, Viktor Gyökeres finished an Eberechi Eze cross to make it 2–0, effectively killing the contest. Zubimendi then sealed the match with a header late on after a Leandro Trossard assist. The result was emphatic and demonstrated Arsenal’s depth — though the lingering story was Ødegaard’s injury which saw coach Mikel Arteta substitute the captain early.
The big takeaways (load-bearing facts)
- Score & scorers: Arsenal 3–0 Nottingham Forest — double from Martín Zubimendi and a Gyökeres strike.
- Ødegaard injury: Martin Ødegaard went off injured in the first half, with immediate concern about his availability for upcoming fixtures.
- Managerial debut: Ange Postecoglou’s first match as Nottingham Forest manager ended in a tough 3–0 loss; he cited a “very disruptive week” for the result.
- Arsenal momentum: The Gunners briefly moved to the top of the Premier League table with nine points from four matches, showing strong early-season form.
- Standout performers: Zubimendi (Man of the Match), Gyökeres, and summer signings such as Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze had influential outings.
(These five points are the most load-bearing statements and are drawn from Reuters, ESPN, Guardian and Sky Sports reporting.)
Player spotlight & grades (Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest)
- Martín Zubimendi — 9/10 (Man of the Match)
Two goals, the first a sensational outside-the-box volley and the second a clinical header late on. Came from deep and linked play; impressive attacking output for a defensive midfielder. - Viktor Gyökeres — 7.5/10
Scored within the opening minute of the second half from an Eberechi Eze assist, showing instincts and movement in the box. Threatened throughout. - Eberechi Eze — 7/10
Creative and involved; his cross teed up the Gyökeres goal and he looked lively on his home debut. - Noni Madueke — 7/10
Bright in wide areas, contributed to forward momentum and wing play. (Madueke’s performances were singled out by several outlets for adding tempo.) - Martin Ødegaard — N/A (subbed off early due to injury)
The captain’s early exit is the main concern; extent of the shoulder issue to be monitored. - David Raya / Arsenal Defence — 7.5/10
Clean sheet for Arsenal; backline and goalkeeper maintained composure despite a few Forest moments (Wood hitting the post).
Tactical analysis: How Arteta won this one
- Midfield control: Arsenal’s set-up allowed Zubimendi to step into pockets between midfield and attack. His late runs and accurate shooting were match-decisive. Arsenal dominated possession and dictated tempo, forcing Forest to chase the ball.
- Wide play & overloads: Madueke and Eze provided width and creativity, stretching Forest’s defensive shape and creating delivery for Gyökeres and late runners. Arsenal’s ability to switch play and exploit half-spaces made the difference.
- Pressing transitions: When Arsenal lost the ball, their quick press disrupted Forest’s attempts to build from the back — shown in turnovers that led to dangerous chances.
- Forest’s problems: Nottingham Forest, in a transitional and disruptive week, struggled to settle under Postecoglou. Defensive injuries (e.g., Murillo limping off) and lack of cohesion meant they could not resist Arsenal’s momentum. Postecoglou described the week as “very disruptive.”
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Bench impact & squad depth: why Arsenal looked comfortable
Arsenal’s summer window and rotation options shone through. Leandro Trossard — a common super-sub — came on and influenced the late stages, with his pass headed home by Zubimendi. That kind of bench quality is exactly what keeps teams pushing across long seasons. New signings looked vibrant and fit quickly into Arteta’s system.
Injury update & implications (Ødegaard, Murillo, others)
The headline concern is Martin Ødegaard leaving the field early with a recurrence of a shoulder problem. Arsenal will assess him in the coming days ahead of a busy run that includes the Champions League. Murillo for Forest was also forced off, further complicating Ange Postecoglou’s defensive plans. Watch official club injury updates and medical statements for clearer prognoses.
📷 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟: Martín Zubimendi, the smallest man on the pitch, heads in at the back post.
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) September 13, 2025
Where to watch Arsenal F.C. vs Nottingham Forest (US & global)
- United States: USA Network (and Peacock/Universal streaming packages) typically carry Premier League fixtures; cord-cutters can use platforms like Sling TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV to access USA Network. TechRadar and other outlets provide live-stream info and blackout notes.
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports (main broadcasters), with updates and highlights on SkySports.com.
- Global: Check local broadcast rights — BT Sport, DAZN, Optus, etc., depending on region. Always verify local kick-off times and blackout restrictions on the official Arsenal and Premier League sites.
Manager reactions & post-match notes
- Mikel Arteta praised the performance and Zubimendi’s “incredible” volley, while expressing short-term concern over Ødegaard’s injury. Arsenal’s coach highlighted squad depth and the team’s ability to respond to in-game events.
- Ange Postecoglou (Nottingham Forest) admitted the week had been disruptive and promised it “won’t take long” to install his style, but acknowledged his team were beaten plainly on the day.