Martin Zubimendi nets brace as Arsenal defeat Nottingham Forest to go top of Premier League

Arsenal were imperious on their return to Premier League duty following a convincing 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.

Off the back of a 1-0 loss to Liverpool in their final outing before the international break, Mikel Arteta’s side were keen to get back to winning ways and made a positive start to the contest.

Mikel Merino was presented with the game’s first opportunity after just eight minutes, but Matz Sels was on hand to deny the Spaniard.

Arsenal were dealt an injury blow shortly afterwards, with Martin Odegaard coming off early for the second time in three matches.

However, the hosts continued to dominate proceedings and looked poised to break the deadlock.

They eventually took the lead just past the half-hour mark via an unlikely source, as Martin Zubimendi opened his Gunners account in style from outside the box after a headed clearance fell to him.

Appetised by his strike moments earlier, Zubimendi took another pop at goal in the 36th minute but failed to keep his effort below the bar.

Having carried little attacking threat throughout the half, Forest finally managed to string together a decent move, which ended in Morgan Gibbs-White sending an effort wide of Raya’s goal.

Arsenal had the half’s final opportunity and could have easily doubled their advantage through Viktor Gyokeres, who was unable to hit the target after being found by Eberechi Eze.

Eze and Gyokeres combined to good effect just after the break as Arsenal made it 2-0.

Forest came close to halving the deficit fortuitously when Raya tipped Chris Wood’s inadvertent attempt onto the woodwork.

Down the other end, Gyokeres was denied a second by the woodwork after a lovely pass from Noni Madueke.

The second half continued similarly to the first, with Arsenal on top and Forest hardly having a sniff.

Zubimendi wrapped things up for the Londoners 11 minutes from time, courtesy of a fine header from Leandro Trossard’s delivery.

With the result no longer in doubt, the final knockings of the clash hardly produced any moment of note.

Arsenal’s victory has seen them move up to the top of the Premier League table, level on points with Liverpool ahead of their visit to Turf Moor tomorrow.