Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium were treated to a thrilling afternoon of Premier League football on September 13, 2025, as the Gunners stormed back from their recent defeat to Liverpool with a commanding 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. The mood, however, was a mixture of elation and concern, as the victory was marred by a worrying injury to captain Martin Ødegaard within the opening 20 minutes.
It all began with hope and anticipation, but the early stages saw Arsenal dealt a significant blow. In a moment that left the crowd holding its breath, Ødegaard suffered a heavy challenge that resulted in a painful leg knock and an awkward landing on his shoulder. The Norwegian playmaker, who had already missed the early part of the 2025/26 campaign due to a similar shoulder issue, was visibly in discomfort. Mikel Arteta had no choice but to substitute his captain, bringing on young Ethan Nwaneri to fill the void. The concern was palpable, and fans will be anxiously awaiting updates on Ødegaard’s condition as the season progresses.
Despite this setback, Arsenal’s new signings wasted no time in making their mark. The Gunners’ response was nothing short of emphatic. Man of the match Noni Madueke, stepping in for the injured Bukayo Saka, lit up the right flank with his blistering pace and direct play. Madueke’s energy seemed to infect the entire team, and it wasn’t long before the Emirates was on its feet in celebration.
The breakthrough came courtesy of Martin Zubimendi, who announced himself to the home crowd with a spectacular volley in the first half. The Spaniard’s technique was flawless, and the goal was the least Arsenal deserved after dominating possession and carving out the better chances. Zubimendi’s arrival this summer had been met with high expectations, and his performance against Forest suggested he could be a key figure in Arteta’s evolving midfield.
As the first half drew to a close, the Gunners looked comfortable, but it was the start of the second half that truly put the game beyond Forest’s reach. Just 46 seconds after the restart, Victor Gyokeres pounced on a perfectly weighted ball from Eberechi Eze, steering it home to double Arsenal’s lead. The quick-fire goal stunned the visitors and sent a buzz through the Emirates, with fans sensing that a rout could be on the cards.
The afternoon’s drama wasn’t over yet. With 11 minutes remaining, substitute Leandro Trossard whipped in a teasing cross that found Zubimendi once more. Rising above the Forest defense, the midfielder powered home a header to seal his brace and round off a hugely promising performance for Arsenal’s new-look squad.
After the match, much of the discussion centered on the impact of Arsenal’s summer arrivals. Zubimendi’s two-goal haul and Madueke’s relentless running were the headline acts, but Gyokeres and Eze also showed signs of forming a fruitful partnership. For manager Mikel Arteta, the result was a welcome tonic after the disappointment against Liverpool. According to post-match analysis, "The match was a strong comeback for Arsenal after their defeat to Liverpool before the international break."
On the other side of the pitch, it was a sobering return to the Premier League for Nottingham Forest’s new boss, Ange Postecoglou. The Australian manager, who took the reins over the summer, now faces the daunting task of galvanizing a squad that looked short of confidence and cohesion. The Forest defense struggled to contain Arsenal’s movement, and the midfield was often bypassed with ease. The verdict from pundits was clear: "Ange Postecoglou, Nottingham Forest's manager, faced a tough challenge to improve his team's performance."
While Arsenal celebrated a job well done, the Premier League weekend was also alive with drama elsewhere. Chelsea’s campaign took on a historic twist as they became only the second team in Football League history to open a season with four consecutive London derbies, a feat previously matched by Crystal Palace in 2021-22. The Blues, under Enzo Maresca, had won their last two derbies and were eyeing a third straight victory—something they hadn’t achieved since February 2024. With a defensive record boasting nine clean sheets in their last 15 league games, Chelsea’s transformation since February 25, 2025, has been remarkable.
Key to Chelsea’s resurgence has been the form of Enzo Fernández, who has contributed 14 goal involvements in his last 18 appearances—five goals and nine assists. In fact, only Mohamed Salah has more assists in all competitions among Premier League players since the start of last season. Meanwhile, Estêvão, the Blues’ young sensation, has dazzled with 18 dribbles in just 181 Premier League minutes, including a record-setting nine against Fulham. Not since a 17-year-old Raheem Sterling turned heads for Liverpool in 2012 has a player so young made such an impact with his dribbling prowess.
Brentford, Chelsea’s opponents in this round, have had a mixed start to the season. Despite losing two of their first three league matches, the Bees have been formidable at home, winning three of their last four league games at the Brentford Community Stadium. However, their recent form is patchy, with three defeats in their last five Premier League outings—matching the number of losses from their previous 14 matches combined. Brentford’s Igor Thiago has been a standout, leading the league in high-intensity pressures both in the opposition half and the final third, a testament to his relentless work rate.
Historically, Brentford have struggled to get the better of Chelsea at home. Just one of the eight Premier League meetings between the sides has been won by the home team—a 2-1 Blues victory in December 2024. Brentford’s three Premier League wins over Chelsea have all come away from home, and they remain winless in four home encounters, with three draws and one loss. The stage is set for another intense London derby, with Chelsea looking to extend their clean sheet streak and Brentford determined to buck the trend.
Back at the Emirates, as the final whistle blew, Arsenal’s supporters could finally exhale. The 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest was a statement of intent—a reminder of the team’s attacking potential and the depth Arteta now enjoys thanks to a productive summer in the transfer market. Yet, the sight of Ødegaard’s early exit cast a shadow over the celebrations. His fitness will be a crucial storyline to watch in the weeks ahead, especially as the fixture list intensifies.
For now, Arsenal’s fans can savor a sparkling display from their new signings and the promise of more to come. With the Premier League season still in its infancy, the Gunners have fired a warning shot to their rivals—but must hope their captain’s injury doesn’t become the story of their campaign.
