Arsenal began their season with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest, who set up a tense finish despite stunning goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka.
The Gunners fans were made to wait to see their team get in the groove – with kick-off at the Emirates Stadium delayed by half an hour due to turnstile issues – but a couple of slick strikes put them in control by half-time.
Gabriel Martinelli’s stunning turn and flick allowed Nketiah to put a deflected effort past Matt Turner – making his Forest debut after joining from Arsenal in midweek – mid-way through the first half before Saka’s stunning effort into the top corner doubled the lead six minutes later.
Arsenal were cruising towards victory, with new £105m midfielder Declan Rice hitting the post and Forest providing little at the top end of the pitch. But Taiwo Awoniyi’s goal back with seven minutes left caused a nervy end to matters at the Emirates.
Morgan Gibbs-White then curled what would have been an instant leveller over the bar, but Arsenal held on for an opening weekend win.