Premier League MW7: Arsenal defeat Forest 2-0 to maintain pressure on City
Arsenal respond to City's Saturday victory with a commanding 2-0 away display in Nottingham to reach 18 points.
FINAL: Sunday 18 October, The City Ground. Nottingham Forest 0, Arsenal 2. Arsenal reach 18 points (6-0-1).
Premier League Matchweek 7 continued on Sunday 18 October as Arsenal secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Knowing league leaders Manchester City had extended their tally to 21 points with Saturday's 3-1 win over Ipswich, Mikel Arteta's side needed all three points to protect their title chase. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a curling left-footed finish into the far corner. Kai Havertz doubled the advantage in the 68th minute, heading home a pinpoint Declan Rice delivery from a set piece. Forest mounted late pressure with Morgan Gibbs-White, but David Raya made two decisive saves to keep a clean sheet. The win lifts Arsenal to 18 points (6-0-1), keeping them firmly within three points of the summit.
The stakes
Second-placed Arsenal needed three points to prevent Manchester City from establishing a six-point advantage at the top of the table.
The rivalry angle
The City Ground has proven a dangerous venue in past title races, making Arteta's composed victory an emphatic statement.
Players who could decide it
Broke the deadlock in the 34th minute with a trademark cut-inside and curling finish.
Secured the points with a clinical header from Rice's 68th-minute cross.
Preserved the clean sheet with two vital second-half stops.
Did you know?
- !Bukayo Saka scored his fourth Premier League goal of the 2026/27 campaign.
- !Arsenal have kept four clean sheets in seven league fixtures.
- !Arsenal reach 18 points (6-0-1), sitting three points behind leaders Manchester City (21 points, 7-0-0).
Head to head
Sunday 18 October 2026. Final score: Nottingham Forest 0, Arsenal 2.
Sources
Every score and ranking on this page is locked to a named source. If it is not here, it is not on the page.
