Zubimendi scores a brace as Arsenal eases past Nottingham Forest

Arsenal’s new recruits got the job done as the Gunners defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates.

The Gunners welcomed Ange Postecoglou back to the Premier League with Forest after losing to the champions Liverpool 1-0 before the international break and were keen on returning back to winning ways.

Mikel Merino, having secured a four-goal haul during the international break, got the first chance eight minutes into the match when a free-kick was redirected into his path, but Matz Sels denied the Spaniard.

The Gunners’ skipper Martin Odegaard was forced off with a shoulder injury after landing awkwardly while contesting for the ball that led to Merino’s chance.

32 minutes into the game, Arsenal finally had the breakthrough via an unlikely scorer, Martin Zubimendi, from a volley outside the box, after Noni Madueke’s corner was headed out by Chris Wood.

Zubimendi had the opportunity to double the Gunners’ lead just before the break in similar fashion to his first, but his effort was blasted over the bar.

A minute into the second half, Riccardo Calafiori floated a long ball over the top to Eberechi Eze, who timed his run to square it to Viktor Gyokeres, and he taps into an empty net for his third goal of the season.

Five minutes later, Forest had a chance to reduce the deficit through Wood after Dan Ndoye’s cross flicked off the Australian’s chest for Raya to tip it onto the crossbar on his 100th Arsenal appearance.

At the other end, Gyokeres almost got his second of the afternoon after he struck the woodwork with Madueke setting him up.

The Gunners got their third goal through another set-piece when substitute Leandro Trossard delivered a pinpoint cross for Zubimendi to head home his second of the afternoon.

Arsenal are back on top of the PL table after their emphatic win against Forest, level on points with Liverpool, who visit Turf Moor tomorrow to face Burnley.

The Gunners return to action on Tuesday in the Champions League when they head to Spain to take on Athletic Club.