Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest as it happened: Thomas Partey strike secures win

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That’s all she wrote! What a performance from the Gunners. They have reduced the gap to league leaders Liverpool to six points.

Arsenal’s 17-year-old wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri makes it 3-0!

He’s only been on the mitch for four minutes. What a talent he is.

Arsenal are cruising with their two-goal cushion… Less than 10 minutes of normal time to be played at the Emirates.

It’s been a quiet afternoon for Arsenal’s centre-backs so far.

‘William Saliba and Gabriel have not had to break sweat,’ football pundit Pat Nevin told the BBC.

Nottingham Forest’s star striker Chris Wood – who has been brilliant this season – was a surprise omission from the starting XI but he’s just come on after 62 minutes as he looks to get his side back in this game.

Is it game over already? Arsenal hero Paul Merson certainly thinks so…

‘He gave the goalkeeper the eyes and whipped it into the far corner,’ Merson said on Sky Sports. ‘What a goal from Partey. I would say game over.’

He’s only just come on – but he’s scored to double Arsenal’s lead! Thomas Partey!

Sensational play from the Gunners and once again it comes from the right-hand side… Saka is the provider and there was nothing Sels could do about Partey’s superb strike from distance. 2-0 with 52 minutes played.

Mikel Arteta has decided to replace booked midfielder Jorginho with Thomas Partey for the second half.

The second half has just got started in north London. Arsenal looking for a second goal to put themselves in firm control of this match.

Arsenal have been fantastic so far this afternoon. Should really be 2-0 or 3-0 but they have the lead heading into the break.

Here’s some half-time reading for you…

Saka is shown a yellow card just before the break for a high boot.

Arsenal are really pushing for that second goal… This time, Sels gets down quickly to stop Saka’s effort, which was very much heading for the bottom corner.

Big chance for Trossard just now to make it two – but his powerful shot is denied by Sels.

The Belgian has been in the news this week, with Arsenal thought to be in talks over a contract extension and pay rise for the 29-year-old.

Here’s a look at the stats…

Football pundit Pat Nevin is watching the match for the BBC and has just highlighted how good Odegaard has been in this first half.

‘It’s party time for Martin Odegaard,’ Nevin said on 5 Live.

‘He has got to much space and he is playing wherever he wants to play. He’s coming from midfield and he is running off James Ward-Prowse who’s not following him.’

First-half yellow card for Jorginho as he takes out Forest star Elanga. The Arsenal midfielder must be careful now.

Arsenal have been ‘outstanding’ across the opening 20 minutes of this match, Paul Merson has just said on Sky Sports.

Arsenal take the lead with 15 minutes on the clock! Bukayo Saka!

It was thought that Saka was facing a ‘race against time’ ahead of this game but he’s showing no signs of fatigue here in north London.

Fantastic goal from the Englishman – with Saka very much starting the attacking move and then finishing it.

Lovely little one-two with Martin Odegaard in there, too. Forest GK Sels had no chance with Saka’s sublime finish.

A strong opening five minutes for the Gunners. They have just put the ball in the back of the net via Timber – but it has been ruled out for offside.

VAR took a look and it was Merino who was deemed to have strayed into an offside position. Very tight.