Madueke’s late goal gives Arsenal win at Forest as Arteta praises substitutes

Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on Sunday, 18 October, after substitute Noni Madueke scored in the 80th minute, moving Mikel Arteta’s side within three points of Premier League leaders Manchester City. Arteta said his substitutes changed a match in which Arsenal had struggled to create a shot on target.

How Madueke broke the deadlock

Madueke replaced Eberechi Eze at half-time. With 10 minutes remaining, he cut in from the left and struck a shot that deflected past Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, according to AFP. It was Arsenal’s first shot on target of the match.

‘We had to earn it until the last second,’ Arteta said, according to AFP. ‘We stayed focused and the finishers made a huge impact.’ BBC Sport separately reported that Arteta credited Arsenal’s substitutes with changing the game.

Why Arteta highlighted Arsenal’s squad depth

Arteta singled out Madueke for scoring, but said Timber, Merino and Gyökeres also changed the match when they came on. He said players needed to be ready whether they were required for 60 minutes, 45 minutes or only two, as Arsenal managed a schedule spanning domestic and European competition.

‘We have a squad now that can deliver in moments and we have to use that,’ Arteta said, according to AFP. His comments followed Arsenal’s midweek Champions League win over Lille, with a trip to Bayern Munich scheduled for Wednesday.

The result was Arsenal’s third successive victory since a 3-0 defeat at Brighton on 19 September, AFP reported. Their position behind Manchester City gives added weight to points secured in tight matches, even when Arteta’s side cannot create many clear chances. At Forest, the decisive contribution came from a player who began the match on the bench.