Awoniyi’s goal not enough as Arsenal begin with victory over Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest’s Swedish midfielder #21 Anthony Elanga celebrates scoring the team’s first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 12, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP).

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Taiwo Awoniyi continued from where he stopped last season with yet another goal for Nottingham Forest, but his lone strike was not enough to stop Arsenal from winning their opening game of the 2023/24 English Premier League season.

Awoniyi scored in the last five games of last season, one of which was against yesterday’s opponent, Arsenal, but the second half substitute could not get another goal to earn Forest a share of the spoils at the Emirates. Aware that their title rivals, Manchester City, were already sitting pretty win three points and three goals after finishing their job against Burnley on Friday, Arsenal set to get on the same pedestal with two first half goals to suggest they were in for a goals feast.

The Gunners, who finished second to Manchester City last season, splashed over £200 million ($254 million) on new signings to try and claim their first title for 20 years.

Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber all made their debuts at the Emirates and Arsenal should have had a far more convincing scoreline to show for their performance.

Eddie Nketiah opened the scoring after some sublime skill by Gabriel Martinelli opened up the Forest defence.Bukayo Saka then curled into the top corner from outside the area, but the Gunners were guilty of not killing the game off.

Forest had barely threatened until the introduction of Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi. Former Manchester United winger, Elanga marked his