Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Saka and Jesus goals

If Mikel Arteta’s thoughts this week have been consumed by former European champions, he may have left both Barcelona and Nottingham Forest disappointed. In very different ways, though. The Arsenal manager has rebuffed Catalan reports he will decamp to Barcelona. He instead defeated Forest. On the ground where Arsenal’s title challenge officially ended last season, a 1-0 loss handing Manchester City the crown, they went second in the table. Having pledged his loyalty to Arsenal, Arteta may yet get his reward at the end of the season, and not merely with a new contract.

After Arsenal stuttered and stumbled over Christmas and New Year, now they have back-to-back wins. After the Gunners’ goals dried up, their forwards have started scoring again. After a distinctly uneventful first half, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka struck in the second to chop down Forest.

If class told, so did the sudden sense that Arsenal would not tolerate a stalemate; which, as they face Liverpool on Sunday, could have meant this year’s title tilt ground to a halt in the first week of February. Instead, they have renewed vigour, Arteta further reasons not to wonder if the grass is greener in Catalonia.

By Richard Jolly at the City Ground

Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports:

On how important tonight’s win is: “To get some momentum. We were good aginst Paalce and today we wanted to get that momentum. It was a strong performance. We had to be patient and suffered more than we deserved, but that is the Premier League.

“We need different tools and find the right moments. I’m really pleased because we conceded nothing. That doesn’t happen, last year that happened to us. I’m really pleased.

“We needed [Gabriel Jesus] at his best. I told him before the game, because he was struggling with his knee. But he was pushing and when someone has that attitude, something good is going to happen. He was magnificent today.”

Awoniyi made it a nervy finish for Arteta and his players.

Arsenal close the gap to Liverpool to two points ahead of hosting the Reds on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will play Chelsea at Anfield tomorrow night, so they can increase their lead back to five ahead of travelling to the Emirates.

But their title challenge is back on track.

Arsenal hold on and claim a big win on the road!

That was more stressful than it needed to be for the Gunners late on, but they deserved their win for taking control. Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka made the difference with goals in the second half.

90+6 mins: We’re still going.. can Forest get it in the box?! They do, but Elanga can’t make contact!

90+4 mins: Arsenal have the ball at the right end of the pitch... and get a free-kick as Murillo comes through the back of Nketiah.

Seconds to go.

Arsenal have it in the corner...

90+3 mins: Raya punches clear... Gibbs-White shoots! Blocked! Pinball in the penalty box, it breaks to Awoniyi, but he can’t get enough on the ball to beat Raya, who holds on!

What a finish, out of nowhere.

90+2 mins: Now Forest have a corner! Arteta is going to throw on Kiwior and Jorginho to help see this out...

Oh, hello?! Taiwo Awoniyi has pulled one back for Forest late on! The striker shrugs off Saliba in the box to fire past Raya! We’ve five minutes of added time... can Forest get one more chance?