Nigerian forward, Taiwo Awoniyi who was initially ruled out from the Arsenal Vs Nottingham Forest 2023-2024 Premier League opener at the Emirates Stadium, came from the bench to scare the Gunners within ten minutes.
In the game which started 30 minutes behind schedule, coach Mikel Arteta maintained almost 90 percent of the lineup that defeated Manchester City in the Community Shield a week ago.
The major difference between the two teams was the absence of Gabriel Jesus who is battling an injury.
Aside from that, Mikel Arteta decided to try something new by using Thomas Partey in right-back instead of in defensive midfield, while new signings Kai Havertz and Declan Rice paired with Odegaard in an attacking-minded midfield.
Eddie Nketiah led the attack alongside the usual suspects Martinelli and Bukayo Saka who mounted the wings.
The experiment worked out perfectly as Arsenal got their first goal in the 26th minute. Arsenal’s opener came when Martinelli teased Danilo with good footwork before a wonderful turn resulted in the ball dropping to Nketiah. The forward cut inside before his drilled shot beat Turner through a slight deflection.
Nottingham Forest who didn’t start their last season’s hero, Taiwo Awoniyi couldn’t respond immediately to the goal as they continue to push to avoid conceding more goals.
Their resistance fell apart in the 32nd minute when Nottingham Forest failed to convincingly deal with a corner. William Saliba provided the assist for Bukayo Saka to open his goals account for the new season from 25 yards.
But in the second half, the game became more balanced as Nottingham Forest began to fight back especially when coach Steve Cooper decided to bring in Awoniyi who he said was not fit for the game.
Taiwo Awoniyi who replaced Danilo in the 71st minute got his 2023-2024 Premier League first goal in the 82nd minute when substitute Elanga raced away on the counter before crossing for the Nigerian forward, who applied a brilliant first-time finish at the near post.
The goal gave Nottingham Forest hope of grabbing at least a point, especially with the presence of Awoniyi who scored the lone goal when Forest beat Arsenal 1-0 at the City Ground in May.
Within 20 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, Awoniyi made 11 touches, won one aerial duel, and had one shot on target even though he is just returning from an injury.
Unfortunately, that was all Nottingham Forest could get at the Emirates Stadium today as Arsenal escaped the scare with a 2-1 victory over their visitors.
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