Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, maintaining momentum in their Premier League title defence despite continuing struggles in early-match attacking play. The win came at the Emirates Stadium and extended Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season, though their goal-scoring record remains relatively modest among the league’s top teams.

After seven league games, Arsenal have scored 11 goals, the second-lowest tally within the top six clubs and significantly behind leaders Manchester City, who have 19, and third-placed Brighton on 23. The team's difficulty in breaking down opponents early in matches has been a recurring theme this campaign, with eight of their 11 total goals coming in the second half. Against Forest, Arsenal failed to register a shot on target until the 80th minute, when substitute Noni Madueke’s deflected strike finally found the net and secured all three points.

Manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged his team’s slow start but expressed confidence in their perseverance and ability to capitalize on opportunities as games progress. “The longer the game goes on, they have more belief. You have to take more risks, and that’s when the game can break,” Arteta said in a post-match interview.

Madueke, who replaced Eberechi Eze at halftime, reflected on the team’s growing resilience compared to previous seasons. “At times maybe last year, this game might have not gone as it did for us in the end, but I think we got that extra belief, that extra mentality now,” he said. “We know we’re the champions, and we know we can pull out the bag wherever we go, and just delighted that we’re able to do it today.”

Despite a largely subdued first half and limited attacking threat, Arsenal showed greater sharpness after the break. Madueke’s winning goal, his first since joining the team, illustrated both the importance of Arsenal’s squad depth and their ability to grind out results under pressure.

The victory keeps Arsenal in close contention with league leaders Manchester City as the title race enters its mid-season phase. However, the team’s continued slow starts and reliance on late goals may become a focal point for scrutiny in the coming weeks as they pursue a second consecutive Premier League crown.