![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/arsenal-2-1-nottingham-forest-6-talking-points-as-bukayo-saka-kick-starts-title-challenge/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_FBL-ENG-PR-ARSENAL-NOTTINGHAM-FOREST.jpg&description=Mikel Arteta's men are hoping to go one better this season after missing out on the title to Manchester City, and got off to the perfect start against Nottingham Forest Bukayo Saka's superb first-half strike helped kick-start Arsenal's title challenge as the Gunners ran out 2-1 winners over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on Saturday. Champions Manchester City put down an early marker by beating newly promoted Burnley 3-0 on Friday night, but Arsenal hit back in the north London sun after an issue with e-tickets saw the match delayed by half an hour with fans stranded outside the ground. Eddie Nketiah broke the deadlock after a quiet start from the Gunners, with the English striker firing past his former teammate Matt Turner following a stunning move from Gabriel Jesus. Saka made it two with a left-footed shot from distance that curled home. Gabriel Jesus is Arteta's preferred choice up top for Arsenal, but since his big-money move from Manchester City, the Brazilian has battled injuries and the Gunners boss has had to rely on Nketiah. The English striker has always struggled to get up to speed with the game when coming off the bench for Arsenal, but his record when starting at the Emirates - something that has gone largely under the radar - is very respectable. Nketiah's opener against Nottingham Forest on Saturday was his ninth from 18 starts in north London and will give Arteta plenty to think about once Jesus returns to full fitness. Gabriel has starred in 73 successive Premier League matches for the Gunners - the last time he didn't feature was Arsenal's 5-0 defeat by Man City in 2021 - and so his absence from Arteta's starting XI set alarm bells ringing. Midfielder Thomas Partey was named at right-back for Saturday's early clash with Ben White being shifted inside to play centre-back. Arteta provided a cryptic response when questioned on his teamsheet, telling reporters he is "adapting strategies for different games," but as the contest got underway the deci){kind=link}
Mikel Arteta’s men are hoping to go one better this season after missing out on the title to Manchester City, and got off to the perfect start against Nottingham Forest
Bukayo Saka’s superb first-half strike helped kick-start Arsenal’s title challenge as the Gunners ran out 2-1 winners over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on Saturday.
Champions Manchester City put down an early marker by beating newly promoted Burnley 3-0 on Friday night, but Arsenal hit back in the north London sun after an issue with e-tickets saw the match delayed by half an hour with fans stranded outside the ground.
Eddie Nketiah broke the deadlock after a quiet start from the Gunners, with the English striker firing past his former teammate Matt Turner following a stunning move from Gabriel Jesus. Saka made it two with a left-footed shot from distance that curled home.
Gabriel Jesus is Arteta’s preferred choice up top for Arsenal, but since his big-money move from Manchester City, the Brazilian has battled injuries and the Gunners boss has had to rely on Nketiah.