football.london takes a look back at some of the moments you may not have noticed during the Gunners' Premier League clash with Forest at the City Ground
Arsenal surrendered the Premier League title to Manchester City in meek fashion as they lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The game got off to a peculiar start as Mikel Arteta opted to switch up his starting line up with Thomas Partey at right back and Jakub Kiwior at left back.
The Gunners looked totally out of sorts as a result and started slowly. Forest, buoyed by a boisterous City Ground crowd and the opportunity to all but secure their safety looked the team that wanted it more and went ahead when Gabriel's slide tackle deflected off Taiwo Awoniyi beyond Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal dominated possession, but failed to create an opportunity of note as their title hopes went out with a whimper. Here are some of the moments you may have missed from a frustrating afternoon at the City Ground.
Saka gets angry with Partey
Arsenal tried something pretty novel at the City Ground as Thomas Partey was thrown in at right back. It was a departure from what we've seen all season where Ben White or Takehiro Tomiyasu have started in that position and it certainly took some getting used to.
White has had an almost symbiotic relationship with Bukayo Saka at times this season, but it didn't seem like Partey and the England international were on the same wavelength. As Saka looked to sprint down the right in behind on one occasion, Partey failed to give him the ball quickly enough and turned back instead. This was much to the frustration of the Hale Ender who could be seen jumping up and down in frustration.
Stuivenberg's message to White
It was a new position for Ben White at the City Ground as well. Well, sort of. The England international spent his first season with Arsenal at centre back but he's gone to another level at right-back this season.
Moved back into the middle for the first time this campaign there were a few teething issues as White needed to remember the passing patterns of the central defender. On one occasion assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg had a word with him to remind the 25-year-old to spray the ball out wide down the wing where Thomas Partey was free instead of playing into the more congested middle of the pitch.
What happened before Tierney introduction
Another player affected by the change in set-up was Jakub Kiwior. The Pole has impressed at right sided centre back, but looked a little lost at left back, barely getting forward.
His attacking contributions were so limited that you could almost pick them out. One was a totally misplaced cross that went to no one. That was enough for Mikel Arteta who immediately signalled for Kieran Tierney to come on seemingly accepting that his experiment had failed.
Vedaklmnz
0
Thomas Party must raise his performance is very weak or low.he must learn to attack aggressive and move with the ball in a speed.his soft put him down.we don't have midfield who can run driving ball 3 to 4 meters like other team are doing.our midfield they don't know to run with ball.thats why our midfield is not so strong.
matbknptu
0
...I said it over and over arteta is no damn coach....
He has a long way to go. He does not have enough experience as a coach. Arsenal were lucky to be in top 2nd.
Bioailmnou
0
Partey is of no use to Arsenal. Sell him.
BadGuy5
0
Seems in Arsenal, team and the fans ambitions are quite different. So is mentality. The way they played these last 9 games showed they clinched their title which was top4
this is the Sad truth ๐
bihbeinot
0
Thomas partey is so useless. SELL HIM
lol ๐คฃ๐๐๐ you have brain damage
CitizenOfFootball_FC
2
Well, Arsenal, Being a City fan... I congrats u guys for having such a good 1st half season
iriho24
4
Seems in Arsenal, team and the fans ambitions are quite different. So is mentality. The way they played these last 9 games showed they clinched their title which was top4
Kesadlor
1
free 12 points to the bottom 6
TiyanjaneChalamwendo
2
Arsenal fans now
Niedmstuz
5
Arteta gave the trophy to Manchester city, since Westham game. the body language could tell everything
jasondrx77
1
out of all games Arteta decided to experiment today ๐คฃ thanks for the title, even Jesus was lost, playing with back to goal as if he is Drogba ๐คฃ Jesus is fast and tricky so he should run in behind not hold up ball ...he was just falling all the time looking at ref ๐คฃ
emondorock
3
Why Areta you are not pep.Drop party but don't insult Kieran by putting him at Rb...joke of the day
Zemadeirsy
2
Thomas partey is so useless. SELL HIM
Wiubcelny
0
not to bring the under 19 or 20 this summer no
Wiubcelny
0
arteta must very careful on trunsfer this summer
Wiubcelny
1
that was wrong experiment for arteta
Vapdikrsz
2
the returned from injury of Gby jesus killed Arsenal season. he came and altered d preferred and winning front line of saka, martinelli and Trossard to make room for him
ClemJay
0
Arteta wants to do a pep masterclass but it backfired
Vapdikrsz
0
d returned of G Jesus killed Arsenal season. he and altered d winning fomular to make space for him to place
Kapcnoprtu
0
arteta well done, you have learnt your lesson against next season.
deydkortz
2
...I said it over and over arteta is no damn coach....
Moschinoโข
1
DELIVERANCE NEEDED HERE๐๐๐
McForlemu
0
Chelsea worst season trophy less!. Arsenal best season in 20 years trophy less. London is still BLUE ๐๐ต.
Self consolation.
Gunners4everโค
0
Chelsea worst season trophy less!. Arsenal best season in 20 years trophy less. London is still BLUE ๐๐ต.
Our worst season was 2019/20 and we won a trophy. Pointless comparison.
VIKINGSB
4
Chelsea worst season trophy less!. Arsenal best season in 20 years trophy less. London is still BLUE ๐๐ต.
Kawbeiors
2
In Forest of Nottingham , the snipper grabbed a gun from the gunners and used only one bullet to force Arsenal to give the cup to Man City.
Vabblpruyz
3
Arteta should go! He has run out of ideas!
Noblmnoru
4
Partey at RB ? This is clueless kind of coaching
rodadrst
3
Headline says Tierney reaction to sub and Saka anger with Partey, yet nowhere in the piece was Tierney's reaction or Saka's anger mentioned. Jokers.
xanta
4
arteta should be charged for match fixing...the lineup was laughable
rodadrst
2
Arteta channeled his inner Pep Guardiola and got an egg in the face.