Arsenal bounced back from their defeat at Anfield before the international break to serve a reminder that they are more than qualified to win the Premier League title with a 3-0 win over Forest.
Mikel Arteta’s side ensured it would not be a warm welcome for opposing manager Ange Postecoglou on Saturday, with the former Spurs boss overseeing his first game in charge after replacing Nuno Espirito Santo.
In truth, it was a walk in the park for the Gunners, with a Viktor Gyokeres tap-in sandwiched by two fine Martin Zubimendi goals – the first, a sublime volley, certainly a contender for goal of the season.
Daily Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN breaks down the key takeaways from Arsenal’s win.
Arsenal bounced back from their defeat by title rivals Liverpool with a 3-0 win vs Forest
ARSENAL BENCH REFLECTS THEIR TROPHY CAPABILITIES
A glance at the Arsenal bench told a story in itself.
The north London club’s starting line-up became predictable last season, particularly after injuries to Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.
Opposition teams knew which personnel they would be up against and the threats at bay. There would have also been a feeling of a drop off in quality in terms of the replacements.
Whereas now, Arteta has the luxury of dropping or missing key first-team players and still fielding a team which is not weakened.
Declan Rice was a substitute, while the recovering William Saliba was left out of the squad. That added to a lengthy injury list topped by Saka and Havertz once again.
Cristhian Mosquera and Mikel Merino both started against Nottingham Forest, putting in good performances, particularly Mosquera.
Yet, more tellingly, the Gunners ruthlessly dominated their opposition without being in full-flight mode.
Arsenal’s strength in depth proved their title credentials. Arteta boasts plenty of options
Ange Postecoglou, famous for his defensive high line and obsession to attack during his Tottenham tenure, was forced to have his team camped in their own half as Arsenal attacked at will.
Goals became a matter of when, not if, Arteta’s men proving incisive across the pitch.
It was upon considering the players not in the starting line-up did Arsenal’s sheer strength in depth register; it is a completely different proposition to the previous campaign.
No Saka and Havertz would have been telling on the pitch. It isn’t anymore. There are high-quality replacements in every position.
No Saka? There’s Noni Madueke. No Havertz? Viktor Gyokeres. No Gabriel Martinelli? Eberechi Eze. No Saliba? Mosquera. The list goes on.
Arteta has all the players he needs to win silverware — there is no two ways about it. The tools are there.
MOSQUERA SHINES ONCE AGAIN
The £13million Arsenal paid Valencia for Cristhian Mosquera is appearing more of a steal as the weeks go by.
The 21-year-old defender put in an assured performance against Liverpool before the international break when he came on for Saliba after five minutes, ably holding his own against the reigning Premier League champions.
Facing Nottingham Forest, he showed further dimensions to his game; his performance against the Reds was no fluke. The Spaniard had more of the ball this time and was comfortable on it.
There were moments in the first half where he had it under pressure, before distributing the ball well.
Cristhian Mosquera showed that the £13m Arsenal paid for him is fast looking a steal
His positioning again was spot on, not allowing the hungry Chris Wood to gain a margin on him, and he put in solid tackles.
To be able to slot in so seamlessly into a settled backline is a promising sign for Arteta.
Mosquera’s talents were well-known to Arsenal, but to hit the ground running from the start of the season is exceeding expectations.
Thus far, the youngster has shown that risking a not fully fit Saliba is not a necessity. This season Mosquera can be expected to get Premier League minutes and will be pushing hard to break into this team.
Both Gabriel and Saliba will need to make sure they stay on song. Mosquera isn’t here to make up the numbers, that’s for sure.
ZUBIMENDI BRINGS GOALS TO THE TABLE
The likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Real Madrid were all chasing after Martin Zubimendi for his pick-pocketing midfield skills and defensive acumen.
It turns out that the diminutive Spaniard can also bring stunning goals to the table, too.
His strike to break the deadlock on 32 minutes was truly sublime, the type which will be replayed over the season. The ball fell to him on the volley outside the area after a Notts Forest defender headed the ball out.
Zubimendi swivelled his body as the ball arrived around waist height to unleash a perfectly timed strike which rifled its way towards the goal, brushing Chris Wood’s head on the way in.
He was not done there. In the second half, substitute Leandro Trossard’s curling cross was met by Zubimendi who leaped high to head the ball home.
Defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi’s brace exemplified what he brings to the table
It was his first brace of his career, 240 club appearances in. Of course, regular goals now would be an unfair expectation of a player who brings much solidity to the midfield.
His waspish nature and ability to break up play has already improved what was already a strong Arsenal midfield.
Yet, on the evidence of today, Zubimendi is capable of the odd goal here and there when in attacking positions.
It is such goals in the future against the run of play which can decide matches.
ANGE HAS LEARNED HIS LESSON — SOMEWHAT
Ange Postecoglou did not implement his famous high defensive line and gung-ho approach
Arteta spoke in his press conference on Friday about how he was relishing the return of Postecolgou, and had learned from watching him.
The Australian has done some learnings of his own, as seen in his first Notts Forest team.
Those famous attacking principles of a high defensive backline and a gung-ho approach at Tottenham were not there.
Partly because he was not allowed to in light of Arsenal’s attacking threat, but also because he has, it seems, already shifted mindset from his Spurs days.
A poor result, yes, but he can’t be accused of stubbornness.
