Arsenal 3 - 0 FT Nottingham Forest

Zubimendi's Clinical Brace Exposes Forest's Fragility in Emirates Rout

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 45/100. Arsenal's attacking precision overwhelmed a toothless Forest, but the lack of resistance made this a one-sided procedural rather than a compelling contest.

When Dominance Becomes Routine

From the 32nd minute onwards, this was Arsenal's coronation of control. Martín Zubimendi struck first—a poacher's finish that set the tone for what would become a relentless Intensity of attacking pressure. By halftime, the Balance had already tilted irreversibly. Arsenal's 16-shot barrage versus Forest's five told the story: a 3.2-to-1 shot dominance that transformed the Emirates into a shooting gallery. The Stakes were high for both sides—Arsenal chasing title credentials from second place, Forest fighting to escape the relegation morass at 15th—yet only one team showed up with answers.

Zubimendi's second goal in the 79th minute, assisted by Leandro Trossard off the bench, was the final punctuation mark. Viktor Gyokeres had already made it 2-0 at the stroke of halftime, courtesy of Eberechi Eze's assist. The midfielder's two-goal, one-key-pass performance (9.3 rating) was clinical—but it was almost too easy. Noni Madueke orchestrated the chaos from the wing with five key passes, yet Forest's defense was so porous that even routine Arsenal moves felt like breakthroughs.

The corner pressure narrative—11 set pieces for Arsenal—should have spelled danger. Instead, it underscored the gulf in quality. Forest's xG of 0.20 versus Arsenal's 1.84 was damning evidence of a team utterly outclassed. Only one shot on target for the visitors across 90 minutes. That's not resilience; that's surrender.

Trossard's substitute appearance (79th minute) yielded an assist—a reminder that even Arsenal's bench depth exposed Forest's frailties. The Upset factor? Non-existent. Arsenal's position at second, Forest's at 15th, made this a mismatch on paper and on the pitch.

Survival Stakes at the Summit

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 40/100. While Arsenal chases Premier League glory, Nottingham Forest arrives in North London knowing every missed point drags them deeper into a desperate fight for survival.

The Setup

The gap between these two sides in the table is vast, but the Stakes for the visitors are arguably higher. Arsenal enters this September 13, 2025, fixture sitting proudly at the top of the league, boasting a Form of four wins from their last five. In contrast, Nottingham Forest is caught in a precarious relegation battle, sitting 16th and desperate to find the Balance between defensive stability and the goals needed to escape the drop zone. With Stars like B. Saka and D. Rice in peak condition, the hosts present a daunting challenge for a Forest side that has struggled for consistency away from home.

Key Battle

The game will be defined by Arsenal's relentless offensive rotations against Forest's disciplined low block. Without specific individual markers for the visitors, the tactical focus shifts to the home side's wing play. Riccardo Calafiori and the home wide players will look to stretch a Forest defense that must remain perfect for 90 minutes. If the visitors' midfield unit fails to track the late runs of W. Saliba during set pieces or the overlapping surges from the full-backs, this could turn into a long afternoon for the traveling supporters.

Our Prediction

Arsenal's technical superiority and the security provided by David Raya in goal suggest a clean sheet for the leaders. Expect a 3-0 victory for the Gunners, as their suffocating pressure eventually breaks Forest's resolve, leaving the visitors further embroiled in their battle against the drop.