Nottingham Forest returned to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon with a trip to face second place Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
Head Coach Steve Cooper made one change for the clash in north London as Renan Lodi replaced Neco Williams at left back, while Lewis O’Brien returned to the matchday squad after illness.
The hosts started quickly in the capital and took the lead on five minutes, Bukayo Saka’s cross met by the head of Gabriel Martinelli who stooped low to head past Dean Henderson from 10 yards.
Saka was the danger man again moments later, slipping the ball through to Gabriel Jesus who checked inside with a neat touch before firing wide of the far post. Remo Freuler then registered The Reds’ first strike on target, but his powerful effort was held by Aaron Ramsdale.
On 20 minutes, Lodi showed good positioning to deny Martinelli as the Brazil international cleared an effort from the goal scorer off the line before Saka blazed the loose ball over the bar.
That proved to be Saka’s last involvement in the game as he was replaced by Reiss Nelson just before the half an hour mark after picking up a knock.
A good move from Forest before the break forced a corner, Steve Cook stepping into Arsenal territory before Ryan Yates did well to win the set-piece on the right-hand side. Morgan Gibbs-White’s delivery was headed towards the six-yard box but the hosts stood firm to clear.
Jesse Lingard was then presented with a huge chance on the stroke of half time, latching onto a loose pass by Gabriel inside the Arsenal area but seeing a strike blocked by a last-ditch Ben White challenge.
Half time: Arsenal 1-0 Nottingham Forest
The Gunners started the second half on the front font and doubled their lead on 49 minutes. Granit Xhaka found Jesus inside the area who in turn picked out Nelson, and despite seeing an initial effort saved by Henderson he was on hand to lash the loose ball into the net.
Moments later, Nelson netted his second as he turned home Jesus’ cross with a first time finish inside the six yard box.
Cooper responded with a double change on 55 minutes as Lingard and Gibbs-White made way for Brennan Johnson and Emmanuel Dennis as The Reds looked for a route back into the game.
On 57 minutes, Thomas Partey added a fourth. The Ghana international stepped on to Nelson’s pass before curling a powerful right-footed strike into the corner of the net from outside the penalty area.
Both sides made a double change just after the hour mark, Martinelli and Tomiyasu making way for Fábio Vieira and Cedric Soares for the hosts while Joe Worrall and Neco Williams replaced Awoniyi and Lodi.
Two more changes followed for The Gunners as Eddie Nketiah and Kieran Tierney replaced William Saliba and Xhaka with 15 minutes remaining.
The hosts continued to look dangerous in and around the penalty area and added a fifth through Ødegaard. The Arsenal captain found space inside the box before firing an effort past Henderson.
Lewis O’Brien stepped off the bench for the remaining minutes on his return to the first team, while Jesus went close to adding a sixth but couldn’t quite add a finishing touch on the stretch at the back-post.
After three additional minutes, referee Simon Hooper brought play to a close at the Emirates Stadium with victory seeing Mikel Arteta's side move back to the summit of the Premier League table.
Full time: Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham Forest
Arsenal: Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba (Kieran Tierney 76’), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Cedric Soares 64’), Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka (Reiss Nelson 28’), Martin Ødegaard (C), Gabriel Martinelli (Fábio Vieira 64’), Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Jesus.
Substitutes: Karl Hein, Rob Holding, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Marquinhos, Eddie Nketiah
Goals: Martinelli (5’), Nelson (49’, 52’), Partey (57’), Ødegaard (78’)
Nottingham Forest: Dean Henderson, Steve Cook, Taiwo Awoniyi (Neco Williams 64’), Morgan Gibbs-White (Emmanuel Dennis 55’), Jesse Lingard (Brennan Johnson 55’), Cheikhou Kouyaté (Lewis O’Brien 81’), Ryan Yates (C), Remo Freuler, Serge Aurier, Scott McKenna, Renan Lodi (Neco Williams 64’)
Substitutes: Wayne Hennessey, Willy Boly, Orel Mangala, Sam Surridge
Referee: Simon Hooper