Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest LIVE! Premier League match stream ...
The Gunners begin their challenge for the 2023-24 Premier League title right here with a Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium. Last season certainly went above expectations for Mikel Arteta’s team... can they last the distance this time?
Certainly, Arsenal’s intentions are clear with Declan Rice the marquee signing of a high-quality summer that has also seen Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, and all three start this afternoon. Eddie Nketiah leads the line for the Gunners in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, with Thomas Partey seemingly starts at right-back as Gabriel drops to the bench in a surprise move.
Forest pulled off an impressive escape from relegation last time out and will have survival on their mind once again. Matt Turner starts for the visitors, just a couple of days after completing his move from Arsenal. Follow Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest LIVE via Standard Sport’s matchday blog, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzia at the stadium.
63 mins: Great tackle from Boly, Arsenal were about to open Forest up.
Odegaard with lovely footwork, plays the ball inside and Nketiah lays it off to Havertz. He tries to work it onto his left foot to get the shot away, but Boly gets a good foot in.
59 mins: All very comfortable for Arsenal, but they haven’t really threatened since the break.
The likes of Smith Rowe, Trossard and Vieira on the bench should Arteta want to freshen things up in forward areas. Imagine it won’t be too long before Trossard is introduced.
56 mins: Good save from Ramsdale... wouldn’t have counted anyway.
Long throw into the box, initially cleared by Arsenal but lobbed back in. Yates chests it down, swivels and gets the shot away, Ramsdale parries it out.
Yates was offside though as the ball came in again.
53 mins: Two Forest players out to deal with Saka, he very nearly skips past both of them.
Ball bobbles back off him though, runs away and Turner can move off his line to claim. Saka has been superb all afternoon, so sharp.
50 mins: Timber hurt himself just before the break when challenging Johnson, didn’t move well before the break.
He’s come out at the start of this half, and he’s tweaked something as he moved back with the ball. His afternoon is over, helped off the pitch and Arteta has a chat with him as he comes off.
Tomiyasu on at left-back.
48 mins: Boly clatters into Martinelli, lovely touch from the Brazilian as he skipped away from the Forest players.
No sign that the pattern of the match is going to change. Arsenal continue to dominate possession, but real concern now as Timber pulls up on the ball and drops immediately to the floor.
Tomiyasu coming on.
Second half is up and running at the Emirates!
Good news for Arsenal - Timber is back out for the second half.
Just the 84% possession for Arsenal in the opening 45 minutes.
They’ve had seven shots, three on target and two of those were goals. Clinical showing from the Gunners.
Arteta will want his side to keep their foot down and make this a really strong start to the season, particularly with such a strong bench.
