The sight of Arsenal celebrating at the final whistle at the City Ground was in stark contrast to the previous visit to Nottingham Forest, where defeat ended their season-long bid for the Premier League title.
Forest were celebrating in May when Taiwo Awoniyi's goal not only ensured their survival, but a late collapse ended Arsenal's misery once and for all as Manchester City became champions.
Here on a cold night by the River Trent, Arsenal's title ambitions fell short, but defeat was unthinkable, especially for Premier League leaders Liverpool who visited the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
That's why manager Mikel Arteta, his players and the traveling fans were jubilant when the final whistle blew after five hectic minutes of stoppage time in what looked like a routine victory. Until Awoniyi scored for Forest in the closing stages..
It wasn't a stress-free night or performance. Not because Forest seriously worried Arsenal until the end, but because for the first 45 minutes the Gunners looked like they were sleepwalking towards a potentially season-damaging result.
Arsenal were caught up in Forest's strategy of staying in a defensive block and waiting for a counterattack, and lacked urgency and breakthrough ability in a lazy and lackluster first half.
Too many passes, too many clumsy attacks, and not enough chances. Arsenal could be described as calm, measured and mature, with some legitimacy, but there was no doubt that more was needed.
Arsenal deserved the win after improving in the second half.
Arsenal picked up the pace in the second half and in the 65th minute former keeper Matt Turner got a helper – in this case a leg – when he needed it, with a shot that bounced between the legs of Gabriel Jesus and hit the near post. did.
Bukayo Saka scored Arsenal's second goal in the match, Gonzalo Montiel the Forest's culprit, and despite Awoniyi's goal at one point looking most likely to lead to a comeback, it was decided He fulfilled his role.
For Arsenal, this victory was worth celebrating. Because this is just a potentially dangerous match that could present itself and become a problem in the pursuit of the title.
There were also displays of passion as a violent clash broke out between defensive duo Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko after the final whistle, with Arsenal backroom staff having to separate them. .
Arteta expressed his delight at the spectacle, taking it as a public demonstration of exactly what the result and the club's drift towards glory meant to the players.
Arsenal keeper David Raya could barely make a save against a Forest team who barely got their gloves on. That means this victory can now be seen in a wider context.
The move means Arsenal are now two points clear of leaders Liverpool before they face Jurgen Klopp's Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday, and will be in a good mood when the two teams meet in north London on Sunday. is what happened.
Suggesting that Arsenal have to make their match against Liverpool a 'must-win' game is stretching the point, but it is certainly a 'must-win' game, both footballingly and psychologically. It can also be considered as
Defeat would have been devastating, but the 5-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace and this win at Forest have repaired confidence.
Arsenal: “Lack of natural sharpness''
Arsenal also have a point to settle against Liverpool after losing 2-0 at home in the third round of the FA Cup, in which they had far too many chances to score but almost inevitably lost in the final stages. He was the victim of two failed attempts.
While there is still a sense that Arsenal are still lacking some raw, cutting-edge talent, there is plenty to admire and they are rightly in the Premier League title race.
Jesus is the striker who has to take on that responsibility, and he succeeded brilliantly here with a fierce blow against the bar, before benefiting from Turner's blunder.
Arsenal were otherwise fine and Forest's risk-averse game plan meant a relatively easy night for the defenders until Awoniyi, who had been out injured since October, came on and finally gave them some space to think. became.
If we are approaching a pressure point towards the second half of the season, Arsenal could certainly consider themselves in a very good position on the shoulders of the leaders.
And Arsenal will be prepared to do just that ahead of Sunday's clash with Liverpool after a heartbreaking defeat last season and a win at the same venue where they gained experience.
