Gabriel Jesus scored Arsenal’s opener against Nottingham Forest (Picture: Getty Images)
Arsenal were frustrated in the first half of their win over Nottingham Forest, but Mikel Arteta effectively told them to keep calm and carry on, which led to a 2-1 victory.
The match was goalless at half-time with the Gunners dominating the game but struggling to find a cutting edge through Forest’s low block.
However, Arteta’s man did find a way through after the break, with Jesus firing home from a tight angle on 65 minutes, before an impressive finish from Bukayo Saka on his weaker right foot seven minutes later.
Taiwo Awoniyi made it a nervy finish as he scored for the home side a minute before the 90 but Arsenal held on for a big three points.
Jesus said the manager was perfectly happy with the team’s first half performance, despite not really looking like scoring, and just told his men to keep plugging away and chances would come.
‘First of all to keep trying,’ Jesus told TNT of a half-time message from the Spaniard. ‘I think first half we did so good. Unfortunately we didn’t score but we controlled the game, the best way to control them is keeping the ball in the third part of the pitch.
‘I think we did well in the first half, we didn’t score, but we kept doing the same in the second half and then we scored, control the game, we scored and that’s all.’
Mikel Arteta was delighted with Gabriel Jesus’ performance (Picture: Getty Images)
Arteta had high praise for the Brazilian striker, who scored just his fourth Premier League goal of the campaign so far, despite fitness doubts over a knee problem.
‘We really need him at his best,’ said Arteta. ‘I had a great feeling before the game, I told him, because he had some fluid in the knee and he was struggling, but he was saying, “I want to be on that pitch” and he pushed everybody to be there.
‘When someone has that attitude and that desire in this moment something good is going to happen because of the ability and quality to do that. He was magnificent today, I think.’
Jesus thanked the Arsenal fans and his teammates for their support during a lean time for him in front of goal, but feels he is in good form and there is more success to come.
‘It’s all about trust,’ he said. ‘I arrive in the club with patience, with desire to improve, to help them, I think I’m doing good.
‘Unfortunately I have been injured, no player wants this, my knee again, I got a kick in training, some problem again. But I’m working hard to be on the pitch because I think I can help more on the pitch than outside. The support of my teammates is good. I’m happy, they keep supporting me, that’s good for the players.’
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