Forest defeat Arsenal to guarantee safety and crown City champions

Manchester City are champions of England once again after Taiwo Awoniyi’s goal gave Nottingham Forest a win over Arsenal that ensured the Reds’ survival.

Not long ago the idea that Nottingham Forest would be able to stay up was a remote one as was the notion that the Gunners could throw away a 13-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Yet a lot has changed in recent months and Arsenal’s performance was reflective of how their levels have dropped.

While Mikel Arteta’s team deserve immense credit for what has been, for the most part, a successful season they never looked like they were at the races at the City Ground.

Forest caught Arsenal out within 20 minutes when Taiwo Awoniyi was played through on goal. The striker was lucky that the defensive challenge only served to bounce the ball off his leg and into the net past Aaron Ramsdale.

It was the 25-year-old’s fifth goal in his last three games and his 10th of the season for Forest in all competitions.

@Getty /

It took some stellar defending at times and also Arsenal spurning good opportunities. Case in point late on in the game when Gabriel Jesus was played behind the defence and looked to play a cross in a dangerous area but completely fluffed his lines and slipped over to instead watch the ball slowly trickle out of play.

Steve Cooper was forced into an unusual change in the final seconds of the match as Keylor Navas hurt himself cutting out a cross with Wayne Hennessey getting to enjoy the final seconds of the game.

The result sparked celebrations in the City Ground and no doubt in the blue side of Manchester too. Forest can now relax in their final game of the season away to Crystal Palace while Arsenal – who have won just two of their last eight games – will have to settle for second place in front of their fans against Wolves next.

xG: Nottingham Forest (0.81) 1-0 (0.66) Arsenal

Stat of the Day: No team has led in the English top flight for as Arsenal many days (248) as did without being crowned champions.

JOB. DONE.

WE ARE STAYING UP!!! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8qrHq0i522

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 20, 2023