In a 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest, Arsenal moved two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. The Gunners took a deserved two-goal lead in the second half with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka. Despite dominating possession and having numerous shots, Forest managed to pull one back through substitute Taiwo Awoniyi in the 89th minute, making for a nervy finish. Nevertheless, Arsenal held on for the win, securing back-to-back victories and moving into second place, with Liverpool still leading the pack with a game in hand. Forest, on the other hand, find themselves in a precarious position, sitting just two points above the relegation zone.
Gabriel Jesus stood out in the match, particularly in the early stages of the second half. He had two excellent opportunities to score within the first 15 minutes after the break. Although he Һit the post with his first chance, he played a crucial role in both of Arsenal’s goals. His strike, which followed shortly after the missed opportunity, appeared to be deflected into the net by Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner, giving Arsenal the lead. Jesus also showcased his playmaking ability by assisting Saka for the second goal, reminiscent of his contribution in a previous match.
Lucy Ward, a pundit, praised Jesus’ performance during the live broadcast, highlighting his importance to Arsenal and the potential impact of converting one of his chances. Opta statistics revealed Jesus’ impact on the game, with six shots, tied with Saka for the team lead. He also led the team in shots on target, shared the top spot with Forest’s Awoniyi in that category, and won two fouls while having a shot blocked.
Jesus has made a unique mark in the Premier League this season, being the player with the most instances of both scoring and assisting a goal in different games, achieving this feat four times. It is worth noting that Jesus has played the full 90 minutes in only five of his 23 appearances.
After the game, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta emphasized Jesus’ importance to the team, praising his determination to be on the pitch despite struggling with a knee issue. Arteta expressed his satisfaction with Jesus’ performance and indicated that the team needs him at his best.