Madueke's late goal earns Arsenal narrow win at Forest

Summarised from 8 outlets · 13 reports · Updated 18 Oct, 20:02 · Archive

Noni Madueke scored Arsenal's only shot on target in the 80th minute to earn the champions a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest, maintaining their challenge for the Premier League title. Noni Madueke, introduced at half-time as a substitute, scored the winning goal in the 80th minute with a deflected strike that went past goalkeeper Matz Sels. The ball took a slight deflection off Jair Cunha before finding the net.

The result leaves Arsenal on 18 points, three behind Manchester City at the top of the table. It was Arsenal's third successive victory, having recovered from a 3-0 loss to Brighton on 19 September. Nottingham Forest, managed by Oliver Glasner, have now dropped into the relegation zone.

Arsenal's performance was below their usual standard. They created little in an often scrappy match and did not register a shot on target until Madueke's goal in the 80th minute. Forest defended resolutely throughout, with Dan Ndoye testing David Raya and Murillo almost grabbing an injury-time leveller with a solo run.

Eberechi Eze, making his first Premier League start of the season, was replaced at half-time by Madueke. Arteta explained the decision tactically: 'The way they were defending, the two units outside, the two midfielders were creating without having a real threat in behind. They were more comfortable.' Eze had scored in midweek against Lille but struggled to impact the game at Forest.

Forest's frustrations mounted. They have now gone eight hours and 26 minutes without a home goal in all competitions. Murillo drove at the Arsenal defence in stoppage time and curled narrowly wide, while Ezri Konsa made a crucial late challenge to deny Liam Delap. Despite their resilience and spirit, Glasner's side remain without a league goal at home this season.

Madueke, who has struggled since his £52 million arrival from Chelsea in summer 2025, said after the match: 'We showed grit and determination, and I think we showed a champion's spirit here tonight.' He described Arsenal's belief as the difference, suggesting that the title-winning mentality now carried them through difficult matches. Arsenal face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday before hosting Everton next weekend.

How it is being reported

• Madueke's strike enough as Arsenal pick up narrow win over ForestNoni Madueke comes of the bench to score the winning goal as Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at The City Ground.BBC Sport · 18 Oct, 19:59
• The ‘absurd’ part of this Arsenal team that can help champions defend their Premier League crownNottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal: Noni Madueke came off the bench to earn the Gunners a third successive winIndependent Sport · 18 Oct, 19:52
• Mikel Arteta explains Eberechi Eze half-time substitution vs Nottingham ForestArsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze (Picture: Getty) Mikel Arteta defended his decision to haul Eberechi Eze off at half-time in Arsenal ’s tense 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest . After registering his first goal of the season in the midweek Champions League victory over Lille, Eze retained his…Metro · 18 Oct, 19:15
• Arsenal win with one shot on target as Forest sink into bottom threeArsenal's only shot on target proved enough to snatch victory at Nottingham Forest through Noni Madueke's deflected strike, keeping the champions within touching distance of Premier League leaders Manchester City and condemning Forest to the relegation zone.Sky Sports · 18 Oct, 19:12
• Arsenal breakthrough! Madueke's deflected strike sees visitors in frontNoni Madueke's deflected strike gives Arsenal the lead.Sky Sports · 18 Oct, 19:12
• Noni Madueke reveals what's changed to help Arsenal get late Nottingham Forest winNoni Madueke was the matchwinner for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest on Sunday after being introduced at half-time at the City Ground in place of Eberechi EzeMirror Sport · 18 Oct, 19:11
• Ian Wright says Arsenal star will be ‘devastated’ after Nottingham Forest winIan Wright after Arsenal’s win at Nottingham Forest (Picture: Sky Sports) Ian Wright believes Eberechi Eze will be ‘devastated’ after he was subbed off at half-time during Arsenal ’s win at Nottingham Forest . Eze was handed his first Premier League start of the season on Sunday as reigning…Metro · 18 Oct, 19:05
• Arsenal show mark of champions but Nottingham Forest borefest gives Arteta plenty to ponderNOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-1 ARSENAL: Noni Madueke's deflected strike 10 minutes from time closed the gap at the top of the Premier League to just three pointsMirror Sport · 18 Oct, 18:52
• Madueke scores only goal as below-par Arsenal beat Nottingham ForestArsenal did not register a shot on target until Noni Madueke bagged their winner 10 minutes from full-time.Al Jazeera · 18 Oct, 18:48
• Madueke breaks Nottingham Forest’s resistance as dogged Arsenal edge to victoryThe theme before kick-off was blanks. Or, more precisely, whether either team could stop firing them at the City Ground. It is a detail to make Oliver Glasner extremely uncomfortable that his Nottingham Forest team had still to score at their home stadium. Arsenal, meanwhile, had drawn 0-0 on each of their previous two visits to this part of the East Midlands. Forest’s frustrations under their new manager go on. It was another spirited performance from them, bits to like, especially a full throttle performance from Liam Delap in the No 9 position. But, for the fifth time under Glasner in all…The Guardian · 18 Oct, 18:39
• Madueke strikes late but who missed his big chance? - Forest v Arsenal ratingsNoni Madueke struck late to earn Arsenal a victory at Nottingham Forest. Here's how the players rated.BBC News · 18 Oct, 18:35
• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal: Noni Madueke's late deflected strike secures vital win for defending champions at the City GroundTOM COLLOMOSSE AT THE CITY GROUND: Noni Madueke came off the bench to net a late winner for Arsenal away at Nottingham Forest.Daily Mail Sport · 18 Oct, 18:27
• Mikel Arteta masterstroke sees Arsenal earn gritty win against Nottingham ForestNOTTM FOREST 0-1 ARSENAL: Mikel Arteta's second-half introduction of Noni Madueke proved to be a genius move with the winger's late goal sealing victory in the East MidlandsMirror Sport · 18 Oct, 18:24

In this story: Arsenal · Nottingham Forest · Noni Madueke · Mikel Arteta · Manchester City · Eberechi Eze · City Ground

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