The Reds returned to Premier League action at The City Ground for the final time in the 2022/23 season with Arsenal the visitors on Trentside knowing that 3 points would secure Premier League safety.
Manager Steve Cooper named an unchanged team from the side that picked up a point away at Chelsea last weekend. The only change to the matchday squad saw Emmanuel Dennis come in to replace Jesse Lingard on the Forest bench.
The Reds made a good start to the game, putting the visitors under a lot of pressure, with a number of long throw-ins from Niakhaté causing trouble inside the Arsenal penalty area as The City Ground was in full voice.
On 11 minutes, the visitors registered their first chance of the match after knocking the ball around nicely, Jesus found himself one-on-one from a tight angle, but goalkeeper Keylor Navas did well to get down and smoother the ball at the feet of Jesus.
Forest then took the lead through the in-form Taiwo Awoniyi on the 20-minute mark. The Reds hit on the break with Morgan Gibbs-White gliding through the midfield before slipping in Taiwo Awoniyi whose small dink went over Ramsdale and into the back of the net.
Arsenal looking to make an instant response saw Jesus have his second shot of the game saved by Keylor Navas from close range.
Goal scorer Awoniyi was the first into the referee’s notebook as he was adjudged to have raised his arm too high whilst battling for a long ball with Gabriel.
The visitors saw most of the possession as the game passed the half hour mark but were unable to break down the solid Forest defence as the Reds limited Arteta’s side to minimal sights at goal.
As the game approached half-time Saka swung a dangerous delivery into the box but no one in an Arsenal shirt attacked the ball and Serge Aurier was able to see the ball behind for a goal kick.
With 4 minutes added to the end of the first half, Niakhaté was booked for time wasting and other than a late Arsenal corner, neither side created any chances and Forest went into the break in the lead.
Half-time: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal
The Reds created the first chance of the second half after Lodi’s low cross was flicked on by Danilo and Felipe had his shot from close range saved by Ramsdale and behind for a corner.
On 54 minutes Gabriel Jesus was booked for dissent after he felt he was brought down unfairly on the edge of the Forest box.
On the hour Arsenal threated the Forest goal with shots from Saka and Jorginho both being deflected behind for corners. Mikel Arteta was then the first manager to make a change on the hour mark with Eddie Nketiah and Kieran Tierney coming on to replace Jakub Kiwior and Granit Xhaka.
Forest had the chance to double their lead when Morgan Gibbs-White stole the ball from the Arsenal defence and found himself with just Ramsdale to beat from a tight angle, but his effort found the side netting.
Arsenal then made their third change of the afternoon with Fabio Vieira coming on to replace Leandro Trossard as Renan Lodi fired an effort wide of the mark after being played in by Danilo down the left.
Steve Cooper then made his first change of the evening with Cheikhou Kouyaté coming on in place of Danilo who looked to have picked up a knock.
Gabriel was booked for bringing down Morgan Gibbs-White on the half-way line with the midfielder looking to launch an attack. Gibbs-White was also booked for his involvement in the resulting scuffle.
Soon after, Brennan Johnson and Willy Boly back entered the action with Taiwo Awoniyi and Felipe making way.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes Arsenal saw much of the possession with Forest looking to hold onto the lead. However, it was Forest who created the next big chance with Morgan Gibbs-White dancing through the Arsenal defence, but his shot saved and held by Aaron Ramsdale.
7 minutes were added to the second half as Forest dug in deep and defended bravely with Arsenal unable to break through the Forest back line. Wayne Hennessey was brought on as a late substitution to replace Keylor Navas.
The referee blew the final whistle which queue an eruption from The City Ground faithful as Forest took all 3 points and guaranteed their place in the Premier League for the 2023/24 season!!
LINE UPS:
Nottingham Forest: Keylor Navas (Wayne Hennessey 90’), Serge Aurier, Moussa Niakhaté. Felipe (Willy Boly 79’), Joe Worrall, Renan Lodi, Danilo (Cheikhou Kouyaté 73’) Orel Mangala, Ryan Yates, Morgan Gibbs-White, Taiwo Awoniyi (Brennan Johnson 79’)
Substitutes: Remo Freuler, Harry Toffolo, Emmanuel Dennis, Sam Surridge, Andre Ayew, Harry Toffolo
Goal: Taiwo Awoniyi (19’)
Arsenal: Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Magalhães, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Jakub Kiwior (Kieran Tierney 63’), Leandro Trossard (Fábio Vieira 70’) Jorginho, Granit Xhaka (Eddie Nketiah 63’)
Substitutes: Matt Turner, , Emile Smith-Rowe, Rob Holding, Fábio Vieira, Mauro Bandeira, Amario Cozier-Duberry, Reuell Walters