 Arsenal got their Premier League campaign off to the perfect start with an ultimately nervy 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis Sign up Privacy Policy Mikel Arteta raised eyebrows ahead of kick-off by dropping defensive mainstay Gabriel and handing a start to Eddie Nketiah. A reshuffle at the back saw Thomas Partey start at right-back with Ben White tucking inside to partner William Saliba and summer signing Jurrien Timber afforded a Premier League debut. The makeshift rearguard were nearly caught cold immediately when an innocuous headed clearance sent Brennan Johnson clean through on goal, but the Forest forward skewed his finish way wide of Aaron Ramsdale's goal. Arsenal slowly grew into the contest with captain Martin Odegaard to the fore but it took a moment of inspiration from Gabriel Martinelli to break the deadlock. Eddie Nketiah scored Arsenal first Premier League goal of the new season (Picture: Getty) Jurrien Timber suffered a serious looking injury on his Premier League debut for Arsenal (Picture: Getty) The Brazil international had been starved of possession in the early stages but when he was eventually given the opportunity to test Forest's backline, he bamboozled Danilo and Serge Aurrier with a sensational 360 degree spin. Nketiah was on hand to collect the ball inside the penalty area and the striker justified his selection with a shot that beat Matt Turner, his Arsenal teammate until a few days ago, with a shot that took a deflection off Willy Boly. The Gunners doubled their lead soon after with Bukayo Saka picking up where he left off from last season, curling a sensational 25-yard shot into the far corner beyond a flailing Turner. Taiwo Awoniyi brought Nottingham Forest back into the contest with a late goal (Picture: Reuters) Arsenal were dealt a blow at the start of the second half when Timber, who too){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Arsenal got their Premier League campaign off to the perfect start with an ultimately nervy 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis
Mikel Arteta raised eyebrows ahead of kick-off by dropping defensive mainstay Gabriel and handing a start to Eddie Nketiah.
A reshuffle at the back saw Thomas Partey start at right-back with Ben White tucking inside to partner William Saliba and summer signing Jurrien Timber afforded a Premier League debut.