Arsenal delivered a commanding display at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, sweeping aside Nottingham Forest 3-0 in a performance that showcased both their strength in depth and their attacking fluidity.
The victory was inspired by Martín Zubimendi, who not only scored his first goals in Arsenal colours but also registered his first ever career brace. The achievement arrived on his 240th club appearance, with 236 of those matches played for Real Sociedad and just four for his new employers in North London.
For Forest, the match marked the beginning of a new era under Ange Postecoglou. The former Tottenham and Celtic boss was taking charge for the first time since being appointed earlier in the week, but his side struggled to cope with Arsenal’s relentless pressure and incisive finishing.
It was a tough baptism at the Emirates, and while there were glimpses of promise, the visitors were ultimately outclassed.
A Blow for Arsenal Early On
Arsenal started brightly, asserting control of possession and looking to unsettle Forest from the outset. Yet there was an early concern for the home fans when captain Martin Ødegaard went down with what appeared to be a shoulder injury after just 17 minutes. He was replaced, leaving supporters anxious about the extent of the issue.
Rather than losing momentum, however, the Gunners found inspiration. They continued to push Forest back with pace from Noni Madueke and the direct running of Viktor Gyökeres, while Eberechi Eze, making his first start for the club, grew in influence.
Zubimendi Opens His Arsenal Account
The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute, and it was a moment to savour for Arsenal’s summer signing. A corner routine initially looked to have been wasted when Forest half-cleared the danger, but the ball dropped invitingly to Martín Zubimendi on the edge of the penalty area. Without hesitation, the Spaniard struck a clean volley that, aided slightly by a deflection, swerved past Matz Sels and into the net.
The Emirates erupted as Zubimendi wheeled away in celebration. Not only was it his first goal for Arsenal, but it also marked the beginning of what would become a historic night for the 26-year-old midfielder.
Gyökeres Strikes Seconds After the Interval
Any hopes Nottingham Forest had of regrouping at half-time were shattered almost immediately after the restart. Just 47 seconds into the second half, Arsenal doubled their lead. Eze drove forward and slipped a perfectly weighted ball into Gyökeres, who timed his run to perfection. The Swedish striker calmly slotted past Sels to give Arsenal a 2-0 cushion and leave Forest reeling.
The visitors briefly threatened when Chris Wood rose to meet a cross from Dan Ndoye, forcing David Raya into an acrobatic save that tipped the ball onto the crossbar. But those moments were few and far between, as Arsenal continued to dominate possession and carve out opportunities. Gyökeres later went close again, striking the post after another incisive move.
Zubimendi Seals His First Career Brace
The defining moment of the match, and perhaps of Zubimendi’s career so far, arrived in the 79th minute. With Arsenal firmly in control, Leandro Trossard delivered a free-kick into the area, and Zubimendi rose highest to power a header beyond Sels. It was his second goal of the game and his first ever brace in professional football.
That milestone carried extra weight. In a career spanning 240 club appearances, Zubimendi had built his reputation as a reliable midfield anchor, valued for his tactical intelligence and defensive awareness.
Yet never before had he scored twice in a single match. To achieve it at the Emirates, in front of a jubilant home crowd, was a statement moment.
Arsenal’s Depth Shines Through
While Zubimendi rightly took the headlines, this was a victory shaped by Arsenal’s squad as a whole. With key figures like Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and William Saliba either unavailable or injured, Arteta relied on the new faces who have joined the club this season.
Gyökeres once again showed his sharpness in front of goal, Eze provided invention and flair in midfield, and Madueke stretched Forest’s defence with his pace and direct dribbling. Meanwhile, David Raya, making his 100th appearance for Arsenal, celebrated the occasion with a clean sheet and a crucial save to deny Forest’s best chance.
Forest’s Reality Check
For Nottingham Forest, this was always going to be a difficult assignment. Postecoglou’s first game in charge came against one of the league’s strongest sides, and his team looked short of cohesion. Losing centre-back Murillo to injury early on did not help matters, but the defensive lapses and lack of cutting edge in attack will have concerned the new boss.
There were brief positives — Wood’s header that tested Raya, as well as flashes of energy from Ndoye but Forest struggled to impose themselves and looked second-best throughout.
With just four points from their opening four games, they will need to adapt quickly to their new manager’s philosophy if they are to avoid being dragged into an early relegation battle.
The Bigger Picture
For Arsenal, the 3-0 victory was more than just three points. It was a reminder that they possess the depth and resilience needed to sustain a title challenge. With nine points from four games, they remain firmly in the hunt at the top of the table. Arteta will hope Ødegaard’s injury is not serious, but he can take encouragement from the way his squad stepped up in the captain’s absence.
For Zubimendi, this night will live long in the memory. Known for his defensive duties, the Spaniard produced a performance that not only secured Arsenal’s victory but also etched his name into club history with his first career brace.
Forest, meanwhile, face a rebuilding process under Postecoglou. The Australian coach has been tasked with reshaping the side, and though the Emirates was a tough place to start, his team will need to show signs of progress in the coming weeks to steady their campaign.
SUMMARY
Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest was as comprehensive as the scoreline suggested. The Gunners dictated play, scored at crucial moments, and never allowed their opponents to build momentum.
Zubimendi’s brace, his first ever in a professional career spanning 240 games, was the crowning achievement of the night, while Gyökeres’ strike added further evidence of Arsenal’s growing firepower.
Forest, on the other hand, left North London with questions to answer and work to do under their new manager. For now, though, the evening belonged to Arsenal and their Spanish midfielder, whose historic brace lit up the Emirates.
