Arsenal needed only one shot on target to win at Nottingham Forest. Noni Madueke's deflected strike proved enough to secure the 1-0 victory, keeping the champions within touching distance of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
The result matters for both teams' title and survival hopes. Arsenal stays competitive at the top of the table, while Forest's loss drops the club into the relegation zone, intensifying pressure on manager Regis le Bris.
Forest's manager acknowledged the defeat was damaging. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, le Bris said the performance fell below the required standard. He noted the team played with 10 men for 75 minutes after an early setback, going 1-0 down within six minutes. Le Bris told his players they were not at the level expected and that mistakes against strong opponents like Arsenal are costly. He emphasized the need for a reaction and warned that the club's position in the league is "not good," with a busy schedule ahead.