Arsenal remained within touching distance of the top of the Premier League table after a crucial victory against a dogged Nottingham Forest side.

Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka put Mikel Arteta's men in cruise control at the City Ground before Taiwo Awoniyi sparked a grandstand finish.

Jesus had made the breakthrough after pulling the trigger from a tight angle and threading the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Matt Turner at the near post.

12 minutes later, Saka rounded off a clinical counter-attack after guiding a finish into the far corner with aplomb, rendering Awoniyi's goal a mere consolation. 

Here, Mail Sport's IAN LADYMAN has provided a number rating for both teams, while DAN DAVIS has delved further into the visitors' performances with short summaries.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-4-1-1)

Turner 5; Montiel 5, Omobamidele 6, Murillo 6, Toffolo 6; Williams 6.5 (Elanga 77mins 6), Danilo 6.5, Mangala 6 (Yates 71mins 6), Dominguez 6.5 (Hudson-Odoi 63mins 6); Gibbs-White 6.5; Wood 5.5 (Awoniyi 45mins 6)

Goals: Awoniyi

Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo 5

ARSENAL (4-1-2-3) 

David Raya - 6

A quiet night between the sticks. Nothing he could have done for Awoniyi's goal. 

Ben White - 6

Provided support down the right via constant overlaps but his deliveries were mixed.

Gabriel - 7

Relished his physical battles with Chris Wood and Awoniyi. Stood firm against both.

William Saliba - 6.5

Caught out a little before Forest's consolation goal but was steady enough. 

Oleksandr Zinchenko - 6 (Kiwior 90mins 6)

Inverted again to good effect. His quick thinking at a throw-in led to the opener.

Declan Rice - 7

His set pieces were found wanting but he repelled several counters brilliantly. 

Martin Odegaard - 7 (Jorginho 90mins 6)

Decision-making was off at times but he kept his side purring in his usual fashion. 

Emile Smith Rowe - 6.5 (Havertz 71mins 6)

Very bright in the first half but his impact faded as the game progressed. 

Bukayo Saka - 6.5

Unfortunate not to score in the first half but he took his goal clinically. 

Gabriel Jesus - 8 (Nketiah 77mins 6)

Arsenal's standout player. Lively in leading the line and tucked home his goal deftly. 

Gabriel Martinelli - 6 (Trossard 77mins 6) 

A middling performance. Lacked penetration and drive in crucial moments. 

Goals: Jesus 65, Saka 71

Booked: Jesus

Manager: Mikel Arteta 6.5

Referee: Simon Hooper 6

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