Zubimendi’s brace and Gyokeres finish see Arsenal ease past Forest on Postecoglou’s debut

Arsenal flexed their control and newfound depth to hand Ange Postecoglou a debut defeat, beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates. Martín Zubimendi struck his first Arsenal goals — a rasping volley from a Noni Madueke corner and a late header — while Viktor Gyokeres tapped in moments into the second half from Eberechi Eze’s low cross.

Forest had glimpses but little sustained threat. Morgan Gibbs-White shot wide from their best first-half opening and, at 2-0, Chris Wood’s chested effort was pushed onto the bar by David Raya on the goalkeeper’s 100th Arsenal appearance. For the most part, Mikel Arteta’s side dictated the tempo, with Madueke tormenting Morato and set pieces repeatedly unsettling the visitors.

Madueke’s menace and a volley that set the tone

Again preferred on the right with Bukayo Saka out injured, Madueke was a constant outlet and repeatedly isolated and beat Morato. His inswinging corners were a theme from the outset and they produced the breakthrough: Wood’s header dropped to the edge and Zubimendi’s technique was flawless, his volley skimming off Murillo and ripping past Matz Sels.

Before that, Arsenal’s best looks had arrived from dead balls as Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurriën Timber all threatened. Merino, fresh from a Spain hat-trick over the break, had an early chance well blocked by Sels. The one setback for the hosts came when captain Martin Ødegaard was forced off with a recurring shoulder problem; Ethan Nwaneri replaced him as Arsenal kept probing.

Restart ruthlessness and a vital save at 2-0

Arteta’s side found a different route seconds after the restart. Calafiori went long to Eze on the left — a rare change of tempo after a first half of tight combinations — and the debutant’s low delivery was made to measure for Gyokeres to finish from close range. It was the cushion Arsenal’s control deserved.

Forest briefly stirred. A rare break down the right ended with a cross that looped off Wood’s chest and seemed to be dropping in, only for Raya to stretch and touch it onto the bar; on the second phase, Cristhian Mosquera’s timely challenge denied Callum Hudson-Odoi. Raya’s save preserved what became his 42nd clean sheet in 100 Arsenal games.

A rare brace for the pivot and Arsenal’s depth on show

As Forest chased, Arsenal tightened their grip. Gyokeres smashed the outside of the near post from an acute angle and Declan Rice, introduced from the bench, was inches from turning in a low Timber cross. The third goal duly arrived from another routine: Leandro Trossard’s free-kick delivery found Zubimendi, who guided in a deft header for the first brace of his top‑flight club career.

Zubimendi’s double crowned a display driven by the summer arrivals. Madueke, withdrawn late to a standing ovation with his name echoing around the ground, embodied the positivity Arteta demanded after the Liverpool defeat. The night also underlined Arsenal’s resilience amid absences for Saka and William Saliba and with Ødegaard off early.

Forest’s first steps under Postecoglou

Postecoglou was appointed late on Tuesday, and with players away on international duty his time on the grass was limited. He started Morato at left-back because of Ola Aina’s injury, and when Murillo departed hurt after making a block, Forest reshaped — Morato moved inside and Neco Williams switched to the left to combat Madueke — but Arsenal’s control rarely loosened.

Forest pressed higher than under Nuno Espírito Santo but were forced back for long stretches. Gibbs-White’s late first-half shot wide and Wood’s effort onto the bar were their best moments. Postecoglou, who heard the predictable taunts from the stands, said it had been “a very disruptive week” and that while he could not fault his players’ effort, “we never really had control of the game.” It is two straight 3-0 losses for Forest, the second under their new head coach.

What’s next

Arsenal turn to Europe on Tuesday with a Champions League tie against Athletic Bilbao — a timely chance to continue bedding in the new combinations that illuminated this win.

Forest have little time to absorb new ideas before Wednesday’s EFL Cup trip to Swansea City. Postecoglou’s rebuild starts quickly; performances as much as results will mark the early progress.