Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 thanks to a magnificent first-half effort from Bukayo Saka on the first weekend of the Premier League season.
The 21-year-old England forward added to Eddie Nketiah’s 26th-minute opening with a curling effort from beyond the area that nestled into the top left corner of the Forest net, well beyond former Arsenal keeper Matt Turner’s grasp.
However, the Premier League runners-up had to withstand a late Forest charge as replacement Taiwo Awoniyi grabbed a goal back in the 83rd minute.
Because of an e-ticketing system glitch, the game had been delayed by 30 minutes, and the bulk of supporters were still outside Emirates Stadium at the planned kick-off time of 12:30 BST.
When play finally began, it was Nottingham Forest who created the first clear-cut opportunity when Brennan Johnson was played through on goal against Aaron Ramsdale, but the Wales forward lofted his effort high and wide as the Arsenal custodian rushed off his position.
The visitors would provide a rare offensive danger, as Arsenal generated the most chances until Awoniyi enabled the visitors to scream to life and provide a tight conclusion.
Arsenal off to great start
After a poor conclusion to last season, Arsenal’s first weekend victory adds to their Community Shield victory against Manchester City at Wembley last weekend.
The Gunners led the Premier League for 248 days last season, but their challenge crumbled in the final stages as Manchester City surpassed them to win the championship as part of a Treble that also included the Champions League and FA Cup.
Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber all began again for Mikel Arteta after making their competitive debuts in the Community Shield, but it was Gabriel Martinelli who looked the most lively in the early minutes.
The Brazilian winger raced in and out of the Forest defenders to set up Nketiah’s first goal since January, when his shot took the smallest of deflections from Joe Worrall to send Turner the wrong way.
Saka’s talent shone through eight minutes later when he received the ball on the edge of the penalty box, cut inside, and blasted home Arsenal’s second.
However, Arsenal’s afternoon was hampered when Timber, who was bought from Ajax for £34 million last month, walked off the field in the 50th minute and was replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu with what seemed to be a calf injury.
Rice, a £100 million transfer from West Ham, was excellent in the Arsenal midfield and came close to scoring a third goal a couple of times, but his finest attempt, a 20-yard shot, was pushed on to the post by Turner’s fingertip save.
Forest charge too late for amazing comeback
Forest manager Steve Cooper remarked before the game that he was still bringing his team together, and it definitely appeared that way in north London.
The visitors started with their top scorer from last season, Awoniyi, on the bench due to concerns about his ankle injury recovery, but aside from Johnson’s opening chance, chances were scarce, and Forest had yet to have an attempt on goal when the Nigeria striker was substituted on in the 71st minute.
But Awoniyi provided the spark Forest needed, scoring their first goal of the season after firing fellow substitute Anthony Elanga’s square ball over the face of Arsenal’s goal.
Cooper’s team was unable to break down Arsenal’s possession to add a second goal, despite seven minutes of additional time, with Morgan Gibbs-White coming closest but firing over while extending.
