Arsenal beat Ange Postecoglou's Nottingham Forest by 3-0, Zubimendi scores a brilliant brace.
2025/2026 Premier League
3-0
Match Report
Martin Zubimendi scored his first Arsenal goals as the Gunners comfortably beat Nottingham Forest to give Ange Postecoglou a defeat in his first game in charge.
Former Tottenham manager Postecoglou had not beaten Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in the previous four matches they had faced each other in, with three losses and one draw.
That record did not seem likely to change as, although Forest showed promise in some of their play, Arsenal took charge of the match.
Arsenal's Noni Madueke, again starting on the right in place of the injured Bukayo Saka, was impressive as he seemed able to beat Morato every time he had the ball, while his inswinging corners caused problems for the Forest defence.
It was from one of these corners that Arsenal took the lead. Chris Wood headed one of Madueke's deliveries to the edge of the box and Zubimendi hit a powerful volley past Matz Sels with a slight deflection from Murillo.
Morgan Gibbs-White had the best chance for Forest when he shot wide from inside the penalty area following a counter-attack.
The Gunners doubled their lead one minute into the second half when Eberechi Eze, making his first start for Arsenal, teed up Viktor Gyokeres to tap in from close range.
Zubimendi then added his second with a header when he got on the end of substitute Leandro Trossard's cross.
Arteta will be delighted with the performance his side put in, but with a number of key players out injured and captain Martin Odegaard having to be replaced with what looked like a shoulder injury in the first half.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
0' Chris Wood hit the post with his chest
5' The Nottingham Forest player's sock was torn by a studs-up challenge
7' Arsenal's first free-kick is swung into the box by Odegaard ,falls for Merino
8' Odegaard is down in pain!
18' Another injury for Arsenal as Martin Ødegaard is replaced early
23' Highlight from Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
29' Timber's header over the bar
32' GOAL! Unbelievable technique! Arsenal 1-0 Nottingham Forest (Martín Zubimendi)
37' Murillo is injured and forced off for forest!
46' 3rd goal for Gyökeres, first assist for Eze! Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest
46' Gibbs-White close! Insane tackle by Timber!
59' Viktor Gyökeres hits the post
68' Time for a double substitution:Calafiori, Gyokeres off ,Lewis-Skelly, Rice on
72' Madueke finds Timber on the overlap who finds Declan Rice but he scuffs the shot
79' Zubimendi heads in at the back post! Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
85' Saka and Saliba is coming to Emitrates stadium
Line-ups
Arsenal XI: David Raya, Ødegaard, Merino, Viktor Gyökeres, Gabriel, Eberechi Eze, Martín Zubimendi, Madueke, Timber, Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera
Subs: Trossard, Kepa, Rice, Ben White, Martinelli, Hincapie, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman
Nottingham Forest XI: Wood, Sels, Sangare, Elliot Anderson, Milenkovic, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Dan Ndoye, Neco Williams, Morato, Murillo
Subs: Boly, John Victor, Douglas Luiz, Ryan Yates, Muinga, Dilane Bakwa, McAtee, Nicolò Savona, Omari Hutchinson