Taiwo Awoniyi shakes off knock to score in Nottingham Forest defeat at Arsenal 

By Wale Mustapha

Nigerian striker, Taiwo Awoniyi made significant appearance for Nottingham Forest on Saturday as he came from bench to score the club’s first Premier League of new campaign in their 2-1 defeat at Arsenal.

The Super Eagles’ striker was a major doubt to make the squad for the trip to Emirates Stadium following his recent return from ankle injury.

The 25-year-old, however made the Steve Cooper’s bench as they hope to replicate last season’s feat when they came from two goals down to force a point off the Gunners.

The hosts survived an early scare to score two first half goals through Eddi Nketiah off a brilliant runs from Martinelli and a nice volleyed effort from Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal had more chances to increase the tally on resumption but fell short of initiative in the final third with a brilliant goalkeeping by their former keeper, Matt Turner.

Cooper tweaked his attack in the closing minutes as he summoned both Awoniyi and Anthony Elanga in his attack.

The duo would then combined well to give the Triky Trees what would be their consolation as Elanga raced down the left outpacing two of his markers before setting up the Nigerian striker to tick home past Aaron Ramsdale.

There were no time left for both sides to change the scoreline leaving Nottingham Forest to continue in search of their first win in 13 games at Arsenal.