Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest : Arsenal player ratings: Outrageous Odegaard and Saka offer title hope…

Arsenal Player Ratings: Exceptional Odegaard and Saka Ignite Title Aspirations

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest: Player ratings emphasize the outstanding displays by Odegaard and Saka, raising hopes for championship success.

The Gunners’ captain dazzled at the Emirates Stadium during his first home match since August due to injury.

With a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Arsenal narrowed the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to six points.

Goals from Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey, and Ethan Nwaneri secured the win for the Gunners.

However, it was Martin Odegaard, the Arsenal captain, who shone brightest, making a significant impact in his return to the Emirates.

Having been sidelined with an ankle injury, his comeback instills confidence in Arsenal’s title ambitions.

David Raya 6

The goalkeeper had a relatively uneventful match, with no saves required. He was reliable and consistent in his distribution.

Jurrien Timber 7

Had an early goal disallowed due to an offside call against Mikel Merino in the build-up. He delivered a relentless performance and is poised for a solid run in the lineup with Ben White unavailable.

William Saliba 8

Completely neutralized Taiwo Awoniyi, demonstrating dominance throughout the match. He exuded calmness and class consistently.

Gabriel 7

While not as prominent as Saliba, he provided a dependable performance, contributing to Arsenal’s first clean sheet in the league since mid-September.

Riccardo Calafiori 7

Returned to action after a knee injury sustained on October 22. He had a solid outing, effectively containing Anthony Elanga.

Martin Odegaard 9 | Star Player

A commanding display from the Arsenal captain highlighted his importance to the team. He played a crucial role in the opening goal with a brilliant give-and-go with Saka, and the duo appeared exceptionally sharp throughout the match.

Jorginho 6

Made only his third league start of the season, showcasing a composed performance. He received a yellow card within the first 25 minutes and was substituted at halftime, likely due to the caution.

Mikel Merino 7

He still appears to be acclimating to Arsenal’s style of play, but his performance was commendable. His defensive contributions were particularly impressive, especially in aerial duels, and he engaged in significant off-the-ball work.

Bukayo Saka 9

He opened the scoring with an outstanding finish into the top corner. He nearly added a second before halftime, but Matz Sels made an excellent save. He also provided an assist for Arsenal’s second goal, capping off a fantastic display.

Gabriel Jesus 6

He was a surprising choice to start over Kai Havertz. He began the match energetically and came close with a curling shot. However, he faded as the game progressed and occasionally lacked sharpness.

Leandro Trossard 7

Although he has struggled for form recently, he performed better today after being positioned on the left wing. He was thwarted by a superb save just before the halftime whistle.

Subs

Thomas Partey (Jorginho 45’) 8

Came on at halftime and quickly extended Arsenal’s lead with a curling shot into the corner. He is playing at his best in years.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (Calafiori 67’) 6

Provided stability, which was essential for Arsenal as they led 2-0 when he entered the match.

Ethan Nwaneri (Odegaard 82’) 7

A memorable moment for the 17-year-old, who came off the bench to score his first Premier League goal.

Raheem Sterling (Saka 82’) 7

Made an immediate impact after coming on, assisting Nwaneri’s goal.

Jakub Kawior (Timber 89’) N/A

Unused substitutes: Neto, Rice, Martinelli, Havertz.