Arsenal player ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Two 9/10s but Mikel Arteta dilemma made clear

Ethan Nwaneri scored his first Premier League goal. (Image: Getty)

Arsenal have momentarily moved six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri provided the goals to stop the rot for the Gunners, following a four-match winless run in the top flight.

Mikel Arteta's side rediscovered their mojo with a suffocating masterclass on the ball, condemning Forest to back-to-back defeats to sour an auspicious start to the season further.

Express Sport rates the Arsenal players on a hugely positive afternoon in north London.

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David Raya: 6

A fourth Premier League clean sheet of the season for last term's Golden Glove winner. He won't get many more easily after no shots on target from the visitors.

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Jurrien Timber: 7

First-half goal disallowed and looked assured at right-back. Two fouls drawn, two chances created and a 94 per cent pass accuracy.

William Saliba: 8

Characteristically dominant at the heart of Arsenal's defence and crucial to the hosts build-up play, completing more passes than any other player.

Gabriel Magalhaes: 7

Five of seven attempted long balls found an Arsenal man and just as defensively prevailing as his partner.

Riccardo Calafiori: 6

A decent 67-minute showing before making way for Oleksandr Zinchenko. Won both of his ground duels.

Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri scored for Arsenal. (Image: Getty)

Jorginho: 5

Unsurprisingly taken off at half-time. Won just one of his four ground duels and could never have replicated Declan Rice's impact. That could be a problem for Arteta he continues to go without Rice.

Mikel Merino: 7

Won more duels than any other player (six). Powered Arteta's engine room with six ball recoveries and three tackles.

Martin Odegaard: 9

Arsenal have dearly missed him. Created six chances - the most in the game - and notched the assist for Saka's opener.

Bukayo Saka: 9

Could've mistaken him for Arjen Robben for his superb goal. Caused havoc throughout the afternoon, taking six shots, making five ball recoveries and creating four chances.

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Leandro Trossard: 7

An absolute handful, winning the most duels and drawing the most fouls on the pitch.

Gabriel Jesus: 5

Won two of nine duels and lacked authority at the spearhead of Arteta's side. Arsenal need a natural No. 9.

Substitutes

Thomas Partey: 8

Sensational display after replacing Jorginho at the break. A stunning goal to double Arsenal's lead was followed by four tackles - the most in the match - and four successful duels out of five.

Oleksandr Zinchenko: 6

Didn't have much to do at all.

Ethan Nwaneri: 8

A first Premier League goal for the 17-year-old. It doesn't require repeating, but Arsenal have a fantastic talent on their hands.

Raheem Sterling: 7

Touched the ball seven times, and one of them was to assist Nwaneri.

Jakub Kiwior: N/A

Played two minutes.

Arsenal player ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Two 9/10s but Mikel Arteta dilemma made clear

Arsenal player ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Two 9/10s but Mikel Arteta dilemma made clear

Arsenal player ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Two 9/10s but Mikel Arteta dilemma made clear

Arsenal player ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Two 9/10s but Mikel Arteta dilemma made clear

Arsenal player ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Two 9/10s but Mikel Arteta dilemma made clear