Nuno Espirito Santo highlighted three players who were vital to Arsenal’s 3-0 Premier League win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
After a run of just two wins in seven games before the international break, the Gunners looked back to their best at the Emirates against Forest.
Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey found the back of the net before Ethan Nwaneri scored his first top-flight goal late on.
The match was tipped to be a close encounter, as the sides were level on points ahead of kick-off with Forest enjoying a remarkable start to the season.
But Santo’s side were very much second best on the day, suffering only their third league defeat of the campaign.
The Forest manager had no qualms over the result, admitting his team could not handle Arsenal’s rampant attack, pinpointing the performances of three players.
‘They played well and we didn’t play so well. Arsenal were the better team,’ Santo said post-match.
‘Quality players when they are involved in the game it becomes harder. [Martin] Odegaard is one of them.
‘[Leandro] Trossard created problems and Saka created problems. You cannot give time to players to decide so freely. Second half we became more pressing but they killed us with the second and third goals.
‘There’s not much to say. We have to improve because we did a lot of bad things – especially with the defending.
Bukayo Saka’s stats vs Nottingham Forest
- 1 goal
- 1 assist
- 6 shots, 2 on target
- 4 chances created
- 13 touches in opp box
- 5x possession won
- 4 duels won
- 2 successful take-ons
- 2 fouls won
‘Losing is always very painful. We came up short.’
Odegaard was making his first start since suffering a lengthy ankle injury in September and teed up Saka’s opener, much to the delight of Mikel Arteta.
‘I value that [Odegaard’s performance] because it’s very difficult to do after five or six weeks out,’ the Arsenal boss said.
‘It doesn’t surprise me because of how he looks every day. When he’s on the team you can sense something different. It’s difficult to put a finger on what but he’s there.’
Arteta will be hoping for more of the same in Arsenal’s next match on Tuesday when they face Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.