Arsenal have kicked off their 2023/24 Premier League season with a 2-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest, a scoreline that appears closer than it actually was for large stretches of the match.
Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka scored first-half goals and Arsenal appeared to be cruising, unbothered by a toothless Nottingham Forest attack.
But Forest substitutes Taiwo Awoniyi and Anthony Elanga combined to get a goal for the visitors inside the final 10 minutes to make for a nervy ending for the Gunners, who were expecting to contend for the title again this season.
Earlier, after a 30-minute delay caused by issues with a new ticket entry system at the Emirates Stadium, the match finally kicked off and followed a predictable script.
But the contest could have taken an unexpected turn had Brennan Johnson put away a 1-on-1 opportunity against the goalkeeper, which preceded Arsenal’s two goals.
The Gunners kept pace with three-time defending champions Manchester City, who won their opener the day before at Burnley.
