Madueke’s 80th-minute strike secures 1-0 Arsenal win at the City Ground

Noni Madueke’s 80th-minute goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in a Premier League match on 18 October 2026. Arsenal registered only one shot on target in the game.

Forest arrived at the match still without a goal at their home stadium and had drawn 0-0 in each of their previous two visits to this part of the East Midlands, while Oliver Glasner’s side failed to score at home for the fifth time under his management. Liam Delap produced a full-throttle performance leading the line for Forest despite his team’s continued home frustrations.

Madueke, introduced at half-time, latched onto a pass from Declan Rice in the 80th minute, cut inside from the left and struck a shot that deflected off Jair Cunha and beat goalkeeper Matz Sels. The goal came after a difficult start to the season for Madueke, "which he has worked to earn after a difficult start to the season," according to the match report.

Arsenal’s first half was subdued and lacking incisive movement as Bruno Guimarães pushed up to combine with Martin Ødegaard while Declan Rice operated as the nominal holding midfielder. Mikel Arteta replaced Eberechi Eze with Madueke at half-time and, on 66 minutes, made a triple change sending on Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino and Viktor Gyökeres for Ben White, Bruno Guimarães and Kai Havertz in an effort to alter the contest.

Forest were compact in a 5-4-1 shape and offered few clear openings in the opening period; there were no shots on target from either side before half-time. Notable first-half moments included Murillo heading wide from a Forest corner in the 20th minute and Kai Havertz heading over from a Rice free-kick on 37 minutes, while Delap won a free-kick off Rice just outside the Arsenal box on 44 minutes.

Glasner said shooting practice had been a major part of training during the week and noted the home crowd wanted to see something in front of goal, with Morgan Gibbs-White missing the match with a calf injury and arriving at the stadium in a Porsche. After the break Forest introduced Ibrahim Sangaré for Dan Ndoye to strengthen midfield; Chris Wood came on as a late substitute and had an effort blocked by Rice, Murillo curled just wide, and Delap was denied at the death by a powerful block from Ezri Konsa.

The win leaves Arsenal six points behind Manchester City, who have been perfect in the league this season.