Martin Zubimendi scored his first Arsenal goal with a sensational volley to give Mikel Arteta’s side a half-time advantage against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates.
Ange Postecoglou was taking charge of his first game as Forest boss following Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure last week, but the Europa League-winning former Tottenham boss’ trip to his old club’s north London rivals has so far been far from pleasant.
Zubimendi fired the hosts into the lead on 32 minutes, meeting a clearance from a corner before letting fly with a volley that sailed into the top corner of the net via a slight deflection off Murillo.
The fact that Forest’s defence had been breached seemed hardly surprising. The Midlanders have now gone 12 consecutive league matches without a clean sheet – a problem Postecoglou’s famously attacking, high-risk playing style may do little to address.
Arsenal had earlier been dealt a hefty blow when captain Martin Odegaard was forced off with a suspected shoulder injury.
Arteta’s men had previously gone close through another Spaniard, Mikel Merino, but Forest keeper Matz Sels saved well from close range.
The visitors were then forced into a change of their own when Murillo hobbled off shortly after the goal.
However, going behind seemed to give Forest some added attacking impetus and, on the stroke of half-time, Morgan Gibbs-White had their best chance when he curled an effort narrowly wide after a neat one-two with striker Chris Wood.
But Postecoglou’s men largely struggled in the first 45, with Arsenal winger Noni Madueke, who bagged his first England goal against Serbia in midweek, causing all sorts of problems for Forest full-back Morato.
