Arsenal were held to just one shot on target in their 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, with Mikel Arteta attributing the lackluster performance to the opposition's defensive setup.
Noni Madueke's deflected strike in the 80th minute was the decisive moment, earning Arsenal all three points despite a largely toothless display. Arteta acknowledged his side's struggles, noting they created two big chances but failed to hit the target.
"They put a Christmas tree there," Arteta said of Forest's tactic. "There is no space to play. You have to be so neat and tidy."
Arteta praised Madueke, who came on as a half-time substitute and described him as "a special character" loved in the dressing room. The 24-year-old showed "another level of anger and conviction" after the break, becoming decisive in matches.
For Nottingham Forest, the loss marked their third 1-0 home defeat of the season. Under Oliver Glasner, they have not scored in five home matches and now sit in the relegation zone after seven games. "Five interviews, five times the same question," Glasner said. "It feels very harsh, but we have to accept it."
Arsenal have won 10 of their 11 competitive matches this season and remain confident in their approach despite Sunday's lackluster performance.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing