Arsenal were forced to dig deep at the City Ground, but their 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest was another reminder that this side can win with grit.
Mikel Arteta’s side controlled long spells of the contest without finding a way through a disciplined Forest defence.
The hosts stayed compact, competed for every loose ball and limited the champions to very few clear openings.
Arteta changed the shape of the attack at the break by sending on Noni Madueke for Eberechi Eze, and that decision eventually settled the game.
With 80 minutes played, Declan Rice found Madueke on the right. The winger moved inside and saw his shot take a helpful deflection off Jair Cunha before beating Matz Sels.
|
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Total |
Nottingham Forest |
Arsenal |
|
Possession |
26.2% |
73.8% |
|
Expected goals |
0.90 |
1.07 |
|
Total shots |
14 |
9 |
|
Shots on target |
2 |
1 |
|
Shots off target |
6 |
5 |
|
Blocked shots |
6 |
3 |
|
Touches in opposition box |
17 |
30 |
|
Corners |
8 |
6 |
|
Passes |
221 |
629 |
|
Passing accuracy |
70.1% |
89.8% |
|
Fouls |
14 |
8 |
|
Offsides |
2 |
1 |
|
Yellow cards |
1 |
1 |
|
Red cards |
0 |
0 |
|
Goalkeeper saves |
0 |
2 |
It was Arsenal’s first effort on target, but it was enough to secure another important three points.
The performance wasn’t spectacular, yet the result mattered far more. Arsenal left a difficult ground with a clean sheet and their sixth Premier League win of the campaign.
They have now collected 18 points from a possible 21 and remain firmly in the early title race.
That ability to keep finding answers is built on the strength of Arteta’s squad, and Riccardo Calafiori is a major part of it, which helps explain why Arsenal have reportedly placed such a huge price on the defender.
CaughtOffside reports that Real Madrid remain interested in the 24-year-old after making contact with people close to him.
The Spanish club are said to have held talks with members of Calafiori’s inner circle to learn more about his position and the possibility of a future move.
No offer or formal talks have begun, with Arsenal’s stance already crystal clear.
The Gunners would reportedly demand an “extraordinary” offer worth more than £84 million before considering a sale, and there is no sign whatsoever that Arsenal are looking to cash in.
Instead, it shows how highly Calafiori is valued in north London.
The Italy international joined from Bologna in 2024 and has become absolutely integral for Arteta.
Calafiori can operate at centre back or left back, while his comfort on the ball allows him to step into midfield when Arsenal are building from the back.
He’s also under contract until 2029 and has reportedly shown no desire to push for an exit, and that leaves Arsenal in a strong negotiating position if Real Madrid decide to turn their interest into a firm proposal.
There is zero reason for the champions to weaken their squad during a season in which they are fighting for the big time again, and replacing a player with Calafiori’s star quality would also be difficult and expensive.
Real Madrid may continue watching, but admiration alone will not move Arsenal. Unless an offer arrives that completely changes the calculation, Calafiori looks set to remain central to Arteta’s plans.
