Noni Madueke’s late goal saw Arsenal claim a hard-fought 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

A low-key first half without a shot on target made way for a more entertaining second period, although there was still little quality in front of goal.

That was until Madueke – who was introduced at half-time in place of Eberechi Eze – found the right-hand corner of Forest’s net with a deflected shot in the 80th minute.

Madueke’s goal proved decisive as Forest, who went close in stoppage time via a mazy Murillo dribble, were unable to forge a comeback and have now lost three straight Premier League games.

How the match unfolded

The first opening of the match came from Forest as Dan Ndoye saw Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya tip his shot wide, before Arsenal defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White almost turned the ball home in a goalmouth scramble at the other end.

The first half produced little more, with Arsenal's Kai Havertz in the 37th minute failing to keep his header down after meeting Declan Rice’s free-kick.

Forest came out for the second half energised, with Liam Delap just failing to find Neco Williams with an inviting cross before the former Chelsea striker forced Raya into action with a stinging shot.

Gabriel was a set-piece threat again when he headed over from an Arsenal corner. Arsenal’s best chance arrived when Rice blazed a first-time effort over the bar at the end of a well-worked move down the right.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 80th minute when Rice swept a loose ball out to Madueke, who charged in from the left wing, squared up Daniel Munoz and slammed a finish beyond Matz Sels, courtesy of a big deflection off Jair Cunha.

Williams then blocked Jurrien Timber’s path to goal as Arsenal looked to put the contest to bed.

Forest substitute Chris Wood was unable to make that defensive contribution count as he saw an attempt from inside the box blocked by Rice, but Forest’s best chances were still to come.

On his 100th Forest appearance, Murillo charged inside from the left, skipped past Rice and very nearly picked out the top corner with a right-footed shot, before Ezri Konsa made a last-ditch block to thwart Delap.

Oliver Glasner’s Forest team have now dropped into the relegation zone after their fifth league defeat this season, while Arsenal moved back into second, three points behind leaders Manchester City. (premierleague.com)