Gabriel Jesus scored and then set up Bukayo Saka for another seven minutes later to lead Arsenal to a 2-1 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Tuesday that moved the north London side to within two points of leaders Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s team, who won their second consecutive match after going three games without a win, leapfrogged Manchester City into second in the table with 46 points after 22 games. City have 43 points, but have played two fewer games.
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Forest are 16th with 20 points, two points above the drop zone.
Arsenal dominated possession but struggled to threaten the Forest goal before Jesus finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute. The Forest defence switched off during a throw-in and the ball fell to Jesus who fired through keeper Matt Turner‘s legs from an impossibly tight angle.
Arteta’s team doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Jesus played a ball to Saka who shot across the goal. Turner got a hand on the ball but not enough to keep it out.
Forest substitute Taiwo Awoniyi pulled one back to energise the crowd in the 89th minute, prodding the ball past David Raya from close range, and then the Arsenal goalkeeper made a terrific save for Arsenal in the final minutes to secure the win.