Arsenal’s Premier League title hinges on their forwards

NOTTINGHAM – Tuesday's 2-1 victory at Nottingham Forest underlined the fine margins by which Arsenal will live and die in this Premier League title race. The Gunners are almost certain to end the January transfer window without the attacking addition many were calling for at the start, a judgment heavily influenced by financial constraints but also a belief that Arsenal's existing options can get them over the line the finish line.

A year ago, Arsenal looked for cheaper alternatives when price was out of their main targets, but this time, with Brentford's Ivan Toney and Wolves' Pedro Neto deemed out of reach, manager Mikel Arteta opted to outsource his attackers the task of overhauling Liverpool and Manchester. City at the top of the table.

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Another reason for this decision is the risk that an imperfect addition disrupts the existing cohesion. Arsenal's attacking patterns are well established and for long periods they probed with a familiar methodology, monopolizing possession to the point of having 81% in the first half. Yet this dominance did not translate into a single shot on target, with the most dangerous moment coming two minutes before the break when Murillo fortuitously deflected Bukayo Saka's point-blank effort wide of goalkeeper Matt Turner's right post .

After beating Crystal Palace 5-0 last time out, they threatened to fall back into a troubling cycle that contributed to a run of one win in seven games before Christmas, sparking calls to strengthen the squad. But Arteta's confidence in his team and his style were ultimately rewarded.

Gabriel Jesus took advantage of Forest's momentary lapse in concentration to slip behind Oleksandr Zinchenko's throw-in in the 65th minute to finish past Turner from a tight angle. Seven minutes later, Gonzalo Montiel gifted Arsenal the ball and they broke in rhythm, Saka collecting Jesus' smart pass to shoot within a second. The fact that both goals came from a throw-in and a counter-attack rather than the kind of meticulously crafted avenue they had pursued all evening shows the adaptability they will need in the months to come.

“We had to be patient, we didn't allow them to run and we were able to generate chances in different ways, which is nice,” Arteta said. “I think we showed a lot of maturity to control the game the way we needed to.”

The City Ground evoked memories of places where a title race can be won and lost before even kick-off. This is where Arsenal were mathematically defeated in last season's battle against City and their return to the Midlands had some particularly charged players for the occasion.

“What happened last year was still in our stomach,” Arteta said. “We wanted to address it. I felt like they were talking about it.

“Coming into that locker room, it really reminds me. Our brains and our bodies are really smart and when they find themselves in the same situation, they're really active. They were really invested and they were really talking about it with each other. I thought that the team was very good.”

That did not prevent a late wobble, however, as Taiwo Awoniyi continued his remarkable record against Arsenal – three goals in three games now – with an 89th-minute strike demonstrating his strength and composure in the box. Awoniyi replaced Chris Wood at half-time, whose lack of pace allowed Arsenal to push so high up the pitch that Forest were stuck not only in their own half, but almost in their own defensive third for long periods.

The Nigerian striker, making his first club appearance since November 12, changed the home side's attacking dynamic and nearly snatched an undeserved point in stoppage time.

Emile Smith Rowe got his second league start of the season to help maximize the spaces Arsenal could find, but it was Jesus who should have broken the deadlock, firing a 57th-minute shot against the six-man post meters when it seemed easier. to mark. Jesus' link-up play was excellent and finishing the night with a goal and an assist was a reward for his perseverance, although it was hard to escape the lingering feeling that his profligacy might have been punished by a team with more quality and intention. that Forest gathered.

Ultimately, Arteta feels differently, even more excited about the Jesus character who overcame the fluid in his knee to play 78 minutes here. “Gabi started winning the game two days ago,” Arteta said. “He had a knee problem and everyone was trying to protect him and telling him not to go out. But he was saying [matchday] -2, [matchday] -1, I want to be there, I want to help the team win the game. When you have this mentality, good things will happen. I'm really happy with him.”

The character Arteta dreams of has manifested itself in another way, or so he later claimed when the Spaniard was forced to intervene in a disagreement between Zinchenko and Ben White at full-time , apparently upset by the concession of a goal which endangered three points which had long seemed certain.

“I love it,” he said. “They're demanding more from each other. They're not happy with the way they've conceded and they're just trying to resolve the problem. It's gotten a little heated. But that means it's enough. Playing like we did it, the result must be bigger and the clean sheet must be there.”

The disagreement was perhaps a further recognition of the tightrope ride that a title race can be.