Forest’s unbeaten run away from home came to an end at the Emirates Stadium in North London.
Mull of Kintyre roared out from the away end and into a blustery and wet Emirates Stadium as Forest took on an Arsenal team who started the day level on points with the famous Garibaldi.
After just five minutes, Arsenal had the ball in the net after Jurrien Timber bundled home what would have been his first Arsenal goal - a VAR check however confirmed that an Arsenal player was offside in the build-up.
Forest knew this would be a match that would require discipline and organisation without the ball, and this is exactly what The Reds demonstrated early on as Arsenal struggled to create any chance of note.
However, just before the quarter of an hour mark, it was the Gunners who took the lead. Some neat play from the returning Martin Ødegaard allowed Bukayo Saka to run across the face of the box before powering an effort past Matz Sels.
The first booking came after 23 minutes when a direct and powerful run from Elanga was halted by Jorginho, albeit through bundling the Swede over. The resulting free-kick was delivered into the Arsenal box and headed over by Yates.
As the rain lashed down, Sels was forced into action to first deny Leandro Trossard’s powerful strike to the near post and then minutes later to tip round the post Saka’s low effort that looked destined for the far corner.
The half concluded with neither team able to establish much dominance on the ball and with Forest trailing by just the one goal.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 1-0 Forest
There was no let up in the rain as the second half began, with Forest now shooting towards the Clock End that housed their lively away support.
Seven minutes after the restart, it was Arsenal who added to their lead. Saka’s pass finding Thomas Partey on the edge of the box, the midfielder taking a touch before curling an effort into the far corner of the Forest net leaving Sels no chance.
Forest had a handful of opportunities as the second half continued, a seemingly goalbound Jota Silva shot blocked and then a looping Chris Wood header worrying David Raya in the Arsenal net 10 minutes later.
Forest battled well as the game entered its latter stages but were just unable to create that one clear cut chance, they had so often been able to in recent away trips that had seen them head to the Emirates unbeaten on the road.
With less than 10 minutes to go, Arsenal found a third. Recently introduced substitutes Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri combining, with the latter slotting the ball low into Sels’ near post.
It wasn’t to be this time for Forest on the road, a double visit to Manchester next up away from home for The Reds.
FULL TIME: Arsenal 3-0 Forest
Forest (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Moreno (Williams 72’), Yates (c), Ward-Prowse, Dominguez (Sosa 62’), Elanga (Jota 45’), Hudson-Odoi, Awoniyi (Wood 62’)
Unused Substitutes: Miguel; Da Silva Moreira, Morato, Toffolo, Boly
Bookings: Aina (45+4’), Yates (69’),
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber (Kiwior 88’), Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori (Zinchenko 66’), Jorginho (Partey 45’), Merino, Odegaard (Nwaneri 81), Saka (Sterling 81’), Trossard, Jesus
Unused Substitutes: Neto; Rice, Martinelli, Havertz,
Bookings: Jorginho (23’), Jesus (30’), Saka (43’)
Goals: Saka (15’), Partey (52’), Nwaneri (85’)
Referee: Simon Hooper
Attendance: 60,298
Next Up for Forest
Forest will be looking to get back to winning ways as they host last season’s Championship runners-up Ipswich Town at the City Ground on Saturday 30th November (3pm KO)