Player Ratings: Arsenal 5-0 Nottm Forest

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 5-0 thrashing of bottom of the league Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Gabriel Martinelli scored the opening goal inside five minutes, although for all the chances they created in the opening 45 minutes, it wasn’t until the second half that they added to their lead.

A three-minute brace from Reiss Nelson put the game beyond a miserable travelling Forest support, whilst Thomas Partey capped off his excellent performance with a fine strike to make it 4-0 before Arsenal took their foot off the gas. There was still time for Martin Odegaard to make it 5-0.

Here are CSAR’s player ratings from Arsenal 5-0 Nottingham Forest:

Aaron Ramsdale 6 – Comfortable save to deny Remo Freuler in the opening 10 minutes. Largely uneventful afternoon for the Arsenal goalkeeper just as many were expecting heading into the game.

Ben White 8 – Jesse Lingard barely had a touch of the ball in the first half but still had two efforts on goal by cutting inside from the left. Arguably not Ben White’s responsibly when this central as the converted right-back didn’t allow the forward to get any touches out wide.

William Saliba 8 – Very comfortable day for the Arsenal defence as they allowed very few opportunities for the visitors.

Gabriel 8 – Goal-saving block to deny Jesse Lingard shortly before half-time.

Takehiro Tomiyasu 8 – Morgan Gibbs-White didn’t do anything of note down the right wing and conceded possession a lot before being replaced just before the hour.

Thomas Partey 10 – Key to starting a number of attacks from central midfield. Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka largely controlled the game for the hosts as expected.

Granit Xhaka 9 – Helped control the game in the middle of the park and joining in with attacks.

Bukayo Saka 8 – Was having a lively game, creating chances including the opening goal. Bukayo Saka went off injured shortly before the half-hour mark following a strong foul from Renan Lodi, just weeks before the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Martin Odegaard 9 – Some excellent passes in the final third but wasn’t involved in any of the goals before scoring the fifth himself. Martin Odegaard often found space around the penalty area and played some excellent passes.

Gabriel Martinelli 8 – Excellent movement to latch onto Saka’s cross to head Arsenal into the lead inside five minutes. Lively effort down the left wing.

Gabriel Jesus 8 – May be frustrated not to end his little goal drought. Gabriel Jesus had seven efforts on goal, three on target but was denied each time. Played the pass to Reiss Nelson for his first goal and assisted the substitute’s second.

Substitutes

Reiss Nelson (64 mins) 9 – Nice finish to make it 2-0 after his initial effort was spilled by Dean Henderson. The substitute doubled his personal tally on the day just three minutes later with a neat volley from four yards out. Then teed up Thomas Partey for Arsenal’s fourth.

Cedric Soares (29 mins) 6 – Brought on to give the busy Takehiro Tomiyasu a rest as Arsenal were also 4-0 up before the hour. Cedric Soares wasn’t troubled.

Fabio Vieira (29 mins) N/A – Struggled to get into the game as it was already over by the time Fabio Vieira came on.

Eddie Nketiah (16 mins) N/A – Barely had a touch and didn’t have a sight at goal.

Kieran Tierney (15 mins) N/A – Late run out to give William Saliba a rest perhaps with next weekend’s trip to Chelsea in mind.