Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on 18 October 2026, thanks to a late goal, and remained within three points of Premier League leaders Manchester City. Noni Madueke scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute, ending a contest in which Arsenal had struggled to find their rhythm for much of the match.
Madueke's shot deflected off Cunha and beat the Forest goalkeeper Sels. It was the only shot on target Arsenal managed in the entire match. Arsenal played badly for the first 70 minutes before they secured the win, so the late goal proved decisive on a day when their attacking play had otherwise been limited.
Arsenal made a triple change in the 66th minute, introducing Jurrien Timber, Viktor Gyökeres and Mikel Merino. The goal followed not long afterwards. The defeat left Forest in the relegation zone, while Arsenal kept up the chase of Manchester City at the top of the table, staying within three points of them.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United, Bournemouth beat 10-man Sunderland, and Brighton won 5-0 against Crystal Palace earlier on the same day. Those results were covered alongside Arsenal's win, with Arsenal's victory at Forest the result that kept the pressure on the leaders.
Manchester City had celebrated a seventh win in seven games at home the day before Arsenal's match, which left the Gunners facing Forest as the chasing side. City remain the leaders of the Premier League, with Arsenal within three points of them after the weekend's fixtures. That home run had put City in the position of pacesetters, and Arsenal's victory at the City Ground meant the gap stayed small.
Arsenal are the defending Premier League champions, and their victory at Forest ensured that they stayed in touch with the current leaders, Manchester City. The Gunners had been unconvincing for long spells, but the late deflected strike by Madueke, following the changes made in the 66th minute, gave them all three points, from a match in which they registered a single effort on target.
Manchester United have taken seven points from seven games. That record came into focus after their 1-1 draw with Leeds United on 18 October 2026. Brighton, meanwhile, secured a 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth beat 10-man Sunderland, completing a day of varied results across the English Premier League.
