Mikel Arteta’s response to a humbling defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion was an interesting tactical tweak, as Thomas Partey came in at right-back to act as the inverted full-back in a role Oleksandr Zinchenko has often filled on the left.
The Gunners eventually settled in the midst of a raucous atmosphere to control proceedings, but an uncharacteristic error from captain Martin Odegaard handed Forest the chance to race into the lead.
A wayward pass from the Norwegian gave Morgan Gibbs-White the platform to sprint at the heart of the Arsenal defence, and he picked out the red-hot Taiwo Awoniyi to slot home his fifth goal in three matches.
Despite holding a whopping 81% of first-half possession, the Gunners were desperately struggling to test Keylor Navas in the Forest goal. Even after the break it was the hosts who looked the more dangerous side and their lead was nearly doubled by Felipe, but the defender’s close-range effort took a deflection before being tipped around the post.
Fellow defender Renan Lodi also went close to netting a second for Forest, with their dogged resistance at the back allowing the Tricky Trees a strong platform to counter.
Ultimately, Arsenal failed to find the firepower to get back into the game, meaning a title race they led for so long has ended in disappointment as Manchester City clinch a third consecutive PL crown.
An emotional rollercoaster of a season has a happy ending for Forest though, as they secured survival with a third consecutive win over the Gunners at the City Ground.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Felipe (Nottingham Forest)
