What a performance from Arsenal this afternoon.
Mikel Arteta’s side surged back to the Premier League summit with a 5-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal were only leading 1-0 at the break thanks to a Gabriel Martinelli goal inside five minutes.
But a brace after the break from Reiss Nelson – who replaced the injured Bukayo Saka – and further efforts from Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard made it 5-0 in the final quarter.
It was something of a frustrating afternoon for Gabriel Jesus, who hasn’t scored for Arsenal since the victory over Tottenham Hotspur a month ago.
And Glenn Murray has told BBC Radio 5 Live [30/10, 3:27] that the ‘whole squad’ wanted the Brazilian to break his duck today and kept passing the ball to him.
He said: “I think the whole squad want to see their striker, their number nine on the scoresheet. They are trying to look for him at every opportunity.”
There’s no denying that Jesus is in a funk, but fortunately for Arteta and Arsenal as a whole the team is thriving.
A defeat in midweek away to PSV notwithstanding, the Gunners have been outrageously efficient this season and it’s comforting to know that their number nine can have off days now and again without the team suffering.
Arteta’s side are two points clear of Manchester City at the summit.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
