Relief for Mikel Arteta as Arsenal avoid further frustration against Nottingham Forest with battling win

The City Ground has proved an unhappy hunting ground for Mikel Arteta and for so long this felt like it was going to be another night of pain for Arsenal.

They dominated Nottingham Forest from the off here and finished the first-half with a staggering 81 per cent possession.

As has often been the case this season, though, Arsenal had little to show for it at half-time. They registered just a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes and, even if Forest had been camped in their own half, the hosts had looked comfortable enough.

When Jesus smacked the post just before the hour mark, it had the feeling of one of those nights for Arteta. It was a glorious chance, one the Brazilian simply had to score, and the fear for Arsenal was that it would prove costly.

But, in the space of 15 minutes, Jesus went from zero to hero.

First, he opened the scoring by finding the net from the tightest of angles. After missing a great opportunity moments before, Jesus fired the ball through Matt Turner’s legs when it seemed impossible to score.

Shortly after, Jesus was going from scorer to provider as he teed up Bukayo Saka to finish off a slick counter.

Forest had sat deep all night but, now behind, they finally had to come out and search for a goal. It played into Arsenal’s hands and, when they had the space to exploit, the Gunners made the most of it.

Jesus burst free down the left and played in Saka on the other side of the box. The winger took one touch and buried the ball into the bottom corner with his weak foot.

Arsenal seemed to be cruising to the finish line after that, but it ended up being a nervy finish. Taiwo Awoniyi struck in the 89th minute and suddenly it was backs-to-the-wall stuff for the visitors.

The Gunners held firm and claimed a valuable three points that moves them up to second in the League. No one will be more relieved than Arteta, who has previously had two miserable trips to the City Ground.

It was here last year where Arsenal’s title charge officially ended and the year before that they were dumped out of the FA Cup. This time, however, it was third time lucky.