The 'absurd' Arsenal bench behind another Premier League win

Arsenal escaped from the City Ground with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest and remain second in the Premier League, three points behind Manchester City. Noni Madueke, introduced at half-time, scored the only goal in the 80th minute. It was a third straight league victory for Mikel Arteta's side, each one decided by substitutes.

• Noni Madueke came off the bench to score the winning goal.
• Arsenal secured a third consecutive Premier League victory.
• Arteta's substitutes delivered for the third match in a row.
• Nottingham Forest are still waiting for their first home goal of the season.
• Arsenal sit three points behind leaders Manchester City.

Madueke and the power of Arteta's finishers

The first hour of a match belongs to gameplans and training-ground patterns. The final half-hour opens up when substitutes arrive and structures fade. Arsenal were poor for long spells at the City Ground, kept quiet by Forest's deep block. But once again the depth of Arteta's squad decided the outcome.

Madueke replaced Eberechi Eze at the break. Eze had been stuck on the left touchline, a position that does not suit him. His substitute drove at the Forest defence late on, shot, and saw the ball deflect off Jair Cunha past Matz Sels. It was Arsenal's only attempt on target, and may well have missed without the touch.

It was the third game in a row where Arteta turned to his bench to fix a struggling side, following victories over Leeds and Lille. He made a triple change after 65 minutes, sending on Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino and Viktor Gyokeres. No Premier League club has produced more goals and assists from substitutes since the start of last season.

Forest fight hard but remain winless at home

Oliver Glasner's team defended with discipline and spirit. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka found little space, just like Eze. Liam Delap was a constant threat up front and could have equalised late on, but Ezri Konsa made a crucial block. Murillo nearly scored a spectacular goal, dribbling in from the left and curling just over the bar.

Defeat leaves Forest third from bottom after three straight losses. Their search for a first home goal of the season continues.

Arsenal's sterile possession and Rice's role

The first half was a dull affair. Arsenal had 74% possession and no shots on target. Gabriel kept feeding the ball out to Eze on the left, only for it to come back inside. The team completed 331 passes at 91% accuracy, a figure that masked the lack of cutting edge.

Declan Rice, used as the deepest midfielder, could not show his best attributes. With Lewis-Skelly on the bench, Guimarães and Martin Odegaard had freedom to support the attack, but the flanks offered little until Madueke arrived.

What Arsenal's title challenge looks like now

The win keeps Arsenal second, three points behind Manchester City and two ahead of Brighton. Squad depth could be the biggest factor this season. Even on a frustrating night, the substitutes found a way to break through.

If you look at the quality of our starting XI and bench, it's absurd. We know that we're going to start some games and finish some. For me it's the same mentality every time: I just want to create or score.

Madueke praised the internal competition within the squad. Arteta stressed that every player must be ready, whether for 60 minutes, 45 or just a few. He knew Forest's energy would drop and the spaces would open. His finishers did the rest.

Madueke's growing influence in the Arsenal dressing room

Arteta described Madueke as a special character, loved by everyone around the dressing room for the way he connects with people. The manager also recalled an interview in which some players named Madueke as the first person they would call if they had a problem. It is a clear sign of his importance beyond the pitch.

The result reinforces the feeling that Arsenal can struggle for long stretches but still win thanks to their bench. In a long season, that edge could be the difference in the title race.