Arsenal remained within touching distance of the top of the Premier League table after a crucial victory against a dogged Nottingham Forest side.

Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka put Mikel Arteta‘s men in cruise control at the City Ground before Taiwo Awoniyi sparked a grandstand finish.

Jesus had made the breakthrough after pulling the trigger from a tight angle and threading the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Matt Turner at the near post.

12 minutes later, Saka rounded off a clinical counter-attack after guiding a finish into the far corner with aplomb, rendering Awoniyi’s goal a mere consolation. 

Here, Mail Sport‘s IAN LADYMAN has provided a number rating for both teams, while DAN DAVIS has delved further into the visitors’ performances with short summaries.

Arsenal remained within touching distance of Liverpool after beating Nottingham Forest

Arsenal remained within touching distance of Liverpool after beating Nottingham Forest

Arsenal remained within touching distance of Liverpool after beating Nottingham Forest

Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka (pictured) handed the visitors all three points

Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka (pictured) handed the visitors all three points

Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka (pictured) handed the visitors all three points

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-4-1-1)

Turner 5; Montiel 5, Omobamidele 6, Murillo 6, Toffolo 6; Williams 6.5 (Elanga 77mins 6), Danilo 6.5, Mangala 6 (Yates 71mins 6), Dominguez 6.5 (Hudson-Odoi 63mins 6); Gibbs-White 6.5; Wood 5.5 (Awoniyi 45mins 6)

Goals: Awoniyi

Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo 5

Matt Turner delivered a poor display against his former club and conceded a soft opener

Matt Turner delivered a poor display against his former club and conceded a soft opener

Matt Turner delivered a poor display against his former club and conceded a soft opener

Striker Taiwo Awoniyi tucked home late in the second half to set up a grandstand finish

Striker Taiwo Awoniyi tucked home late in the second half to set up a grandstand finish

Striker Taiwo Awoniyi tucked home late in the second half to set up a grandstand finish

ARSENAL (4-1-2-3) 

David Raya – 6

A quiet night between the sticks. Nothing he could have done for Awoniyi’s goal. 

Ben White – 6

Provided support down the right via constant overlaps but his deliveries were mixed.

Gabriel – 7

Relished his physical battles with Chris Wood and Awoniyi. Stood firm against both.

Gabriel relished his physical battles with Chris Wood and Awoniyi (left) at the City Ground

Gabriel relished his physical battles with Chris Wood and Awoniyi (left) at the City Ground

Gabriel relished his physical battles with Chris Wood and Awoniyi (left) at the City Ground

William Saliba – 6.5

Caught out a little before Forest’s consolation goal but was steady enough. 

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6 (Kiwior 90mins 6)

Inverted again to good effect. His quick thinking at a throw-in led to the opener.

Declan Rice – 7

His set pieces were found wanting but he repelled several counters brilliantly. 

Martin Odegaard – 7 (Jorginho 90mins 6)

Decision-making was off at times but he kept his side purring in his usual fashion. 

Martin Odegaard's decision-making was mixed but he kept his side purring in midfield again

Martin Odegaard's decision-making was mixed but he kept his side purring in midfield again

Martin Odegaard’s decision-making was mixed but he kept his side purring in midfield again

Emile Smith Rowe – 6.5 (Havertz 71mins 6)

Very bright in the first half but his impact faded as the game progressed. 

Bukayo Saka – 6.5

Unfortunate not to score in the first half but he took his goal clinically. 

Gabriel Jesus – 8 (Nketiah 77mins 6)

Arsenal’s standout player. Lively in leading the line and tucked home his goal deftly. 

Jesus was Arsenal's standout player and cleverly threaded his goal through the legs of Turner

Jesus was Arsenal's standout player and cleverly threaded his goal through the legs of Turner

Jesus was Arsenal’s standout player and cleverly threaded his goal through the legs of Turner

Gabriel Martinelli – 6 (Trossard 77mins 6) 

A middling performance. Lacked penetration and drive in crucial moments. 

Goals: Jesus 65, Saka 71

Booked: Jesus

Manager: Mikel Arteta 6.5

Referee: Simon Hooper 6

Attendance: 29,387

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