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Dominance and control.
Words we have become accustomed to from an Arsenal perspective under Mikel Arteta, and while there were signs that there are still levels to come, this was an encouraging victory for the manager.
The return of Ange Postecoglou to the Emirates Stadium had fears of a new-manager bounce that has haunted the Gunners in the past. But we saw nothing of the hell-for-leather attacking football from his time at Tottenham.
Or perhaps it was more so that Arsenal kept Forest on something of a leash throughout and restricted much of their time on the ball. Considering that Declan Rice was absent from the starting XI and William Saliba was still not fit, the defensive security shown was again impressive.
However, Noni Madueke’' performance was what stole the attention throughout, even despite some glowing displays from others. With Bukayo Saka out, the question of whether the summer addition from Chelsea could step up in his stead has been readily answered in just two matches.
At Liverpool, he looked threatening but faded, whereas here, he was buzzing with confidence, likely from his first goal in an England shirt. He gave Arteta plenty of encouragement that the investment to provide Saka such competitive depth will be more than worth it.
There was bad news which hit the Gunners early in the game as Martin Odegaard was forced off with an ankle injury. It was the second home game in a row with an issue for the captain, and a real concern with Manchester City to come in a week's time.
Arsenal took the lead through Martin Zubimendi, who fired a glorious volley from the edge of the box. Another set-piece, the root cause of course, and a little touch from Murillo's head helped take the ball past Matz Sels. Seconds into the second half and they were two up, a long ball to Eberechi Eze, a one-touch low cross and Viktor Gyokeres tapped in.
Chris Wood saw a cross deflect off his chest and hit the bar before Cristhian Mosquera was forced into a last-ditch tackle on Callum Hudson-Odoi as the visitors tried to get back into it. The Spaniard standing in for Saliba once again with composure and maturity of a player several years his senior.
Zubimendi then grabbed himself a second, heading in at the back-post after substitute Leandro Trossard crossed in for the Spaniard.
While Forest might have changed their manager and lost to West Ham in a shock 3-0 defeat last time out, make no mistake, they’re a good side, and this is only their second defeat of the season. Arsenal made them look incredibly ordinary, and that is a credit to the approach.
The victory will put the emphasis on their rivals in the title race and contextualise again the start to their campaign. Eight goals scored at the Emirates Stadium in the opening two games bodes well with a difficult week of European and potentially title-defining clashes on the way.
Here is how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players:
David Raya – Was not asked to do all that much throughout the game and never looked like being beaten. Commanded his box and takes his third clean sheet in four matches on his 100th appearance. 6
Jurrien Timber – Some lovely touches from the right-back and he does feel like he fits the role of a Mikel Arteta right-back like a glove. Some great combinations with Madueke in particular as that partnership begins to grow. 7
Cristhian Mosquera – Great challenge to prevent what seemed a certain Forest goal after a little confusion with Timber in the box. Replacing William Saliba, for the second game running, he did not look out of place. Brilliant defensive stooping header in the second half stopped another dangerous attack from Forest. 8
Gabriel Magalhaes – Early headed chance from the corner whipped in by Madueke and put wide. Great sliding block to prevent an Ndoye cross from reaching a dangerous area. 7
Riccardo Calafiori – The defensive worries that we saw in the Italian's game last season have just been erased so far, and he looks like his game has gone to another level. Some great influential moments in the opposing half, too, before being rested later on. 7
Martin Zubimendi – Brought in to the club to be the metronome in midfield and not necessarily for his goalscoring. But what a strike it was that granted the Gunners the lead from outside the box on the volley. In the second half he got his second with an unlikely headed finish. 8
Mikel Merino – Great early chance in the box for Mikel Merino as the ball falls to him in the box and he’s got a touch to tap it past Sels but the Belgian makes himself big and saves. While it wasn’t the style we saw for Spain that bagged him four goals in two games, he ran the midfield in Rice's stead and moved up top to finish the game in place of Gyokeres. 7
Martin Odegaard – For the second home game in a row, Martin Odegaard was unable to complete the first half. He got caught in an ugly tangle with Timber and Morgan Gibbs-White, looking in pain both from his shoulder and ankle. Despite a bright beginning, needed to be replaced. n/a
Noni Madueke – Was a real threat down the right-hand side, showing off his skills throughout, and produced some excellent crosses too, and deliveries after taking over corner duties. Treated to a variety of cut-backs, byline drives and right-footed crosses, the quality on show was mesmeric at times. 9
Eberechi Eze – Some beautiful pieces of skill, which got fans out of their seat, and a real willingness to try and take some shots. He produced a great run and cut-back for Gyokeres toward the end of the first-half too.
It would be a sign of things to come, as the left winger crossed for Gyokeres again seconds into the second half for the Gunners’ second of the game. 8
Viktor Gyokeres – Did well early to out-muscle Morato and set up a chance for Eze. A beautiful flick round the corner for Merino should have led to more and he had a chance go just wide after a cross from his left-wing teammate.
His third home goal in two games was a strike the fans will be delighted with, a tap-in finish after a low cross from Eze, one we expect to see plenty more of. He then hit the post with a powerful strike following great interplay with Madueke. 8
Substitutes:
Ethan Nwaneri – A little rusty coming in early for Odegaard, misplacing a pass that could have set Timber free but couldn't make it. Had a chance from a Merino cross that he skied into row Z and sadly didn't really impact the game as many would have hoped. 5
Myles Lewis-Skelly – With Calafiori booked, it made sense he would be replaced. Lewis-Skelly held the line, and repelled everything that was thrown at him. 6
Declan Rice – Had a great chance to enter the game with a goal but couldn't stretch to meet the cross from Madueke. 5
Gabriel Martinelli – Coming off the bench for the excellent Madueke and playing off the right. Didn’t have much to say in his cameo. n/a
Leandro Trossard – Off the bench and his first touch got him an assist, crossing to Zubimendi with a great shape and flight on the ball. 6
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