Three Mikel Arteta decisions made the perfect ‘impact’ for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest, he’s delighted

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Arsenal recorded their biggest victory of the season with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, despite fears heading into the game.

Fans criticised Mikel Arteta’s selection decisions as several key players were left out, with Kai Havertz on the Arsenal bench for the first time in the Premier League since January.

However, the Gunners delivered a superb performance, with Martin Odegaard providing the creativity Arsenal have lacked in recent months without him.

Ethan Nwaneri scored his first Premier League goal as he came off the bench to replace Odegaard, and it was the perfect day for Arteta, who has now pointed out the genius behind his selections.

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Mikel Arteta highlights impact of Arsenal substitutes against Nottingham Forest

Speaking after the game, Arteta highlighted how his substitutes made an impact, with Thomas Partey and Nwaneri scoring off the bench, and Raheem Sterling providing an assist.

“I think we started really well. The sense I was getting in the last 48 hours after the international break, the boys coming together and were all at it,” he stated

“It was good to see the impact of the substitutes. Everyone has to feel important. It was a good afternoon.”

Arteta was ultimately vindicated in his selection, with Arsenal winning comfortably whilst resting Declan Rice and Havertz, and his in-game tweaks were spot on.

Arsenal’s genius substitutions against Nottingham Forest

Jorginho started the game and performed well in the first half, but he was in danger as the Italian picked up an early yellow card, and had been penalised harshly for a foul late on in the first half.

Arsenal have suffered three red cards this season, but Arteta did not want to see a fourth, and brought Jorginho off for Partey at half-time.

Partey was one of several outstanding Arsenal players, scoring a long-range effort within 10 minutes, whilst also making a crucial intervention to stop a counter-attack, and this eventually led to a comfortable victory.

The sensational Odegaard and Bukayo Saka were replaced by Nwaneri and Sterling, and both substitutes matched their goal impact, with the winger’s pass finding the youngster who slotted home.

It is unclear what kind of lineup Arteta will use going forward, but he was able to rotate and win comfortably, which is a very good sign heading into the winter period.