Arsenal edge Forest 1-0 to collect 18 points from 21

Arsenal claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with Noni Madueke's 80th-minute goal securing 18 points from their opening seven Premier League matches.

"A big win," manager Mikel Arteta said after the match. "A win that we didn't have in the last two seasons at a really tough place. We knew the game was going to be with small margins."

Chances were scarce for much of the contest. Madueke, introduced at half-time, cut in from the left flank to score what proved to be the only goal — his second of the season.

"We've seen a different Noni since the international break, and that's what we need," Arteta said. "A player with such a conviction, with quality, being decisive because he can deliver like that."

Arteta credited patience as the decisive factor, pointing to the impact of his substitutes in the closing stages. "Being very patient and being really convinced that at some point we were going to break them down," he said. "Because physically they could not maintain that level of organisation or discipline."

Arsenal had to survive a nervy finish. Forest created their best chances in injury time, the last of which was denied by a block from Ezri Konsa on Liam Delap.

"In those moments, to stay composed — it's an extremely chaotic and stressful moment. It says a lot about the player," Arteta added.

The result leaves Arsenal second in the Premier League table with 18 points from seven games. It was also a first win at The City Ground in three visits, having drawn 0-0 on each of the previous two occasions.