Arsenal got their Premier League campaign off to a positive start after defeating Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Gunners coach Mikel Arteta went with Eddie Nketiah to lead the line in place of Gabriel Jesus, with Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz all getting for their league debuts.
The game's first meaningful opening fell to the away side on ten minutes when Brennan Johnson got behind the Gunners defence and was left one-on-one with Aaron Ramsdale, but he ballooned his shot over the crossbar.
The Gunners dominated and found the opening goal on 26 minutes when Gabriel Martinelli did well to slip in Nketiah, who sent a low strike that deflected past goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Mikel Arteta's showed no charges of slowing down and got the second goal in the 32nd minute through the lively Bukayo Saka, who sent a superb effort into the top corner from 20 yards out.
Foest looked a little livelier in the second half and managed to trouble Ramsdale just before the hour mark via a powerful shot from Ryan Yates, although the VAR might have been neded if the ball had went in.
Changes arrived from both teams after 70 minutes, as Fores threw on Taiwo Awoniyi and Neco Williams while the Gunners withdrew scorer Nketiah for Leandro Trossard for the final few stages.
Forest did pull a goal back with ten minutes left on the clock as Anthony Elanga carried the ball quite well with a lung-busting run before teeing up Awoniyi, who sent a first-time finish past Ramsdale.
There would be no late come back for the away side, as Arteta's charges were able to see off any late attacks to secure three points on the opening weekend.
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