Mikel Arteta’s key decision over the summer aids Arsenal’s title charge with Forest win

Mikel Arteta made a key decision at the end of last season that dictated Arsenal’s summer – and it came up trumps during their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest

When Arsenal finished runners-up for the third season on the bounce in May, Mikel Arteta knew exactly what he wanted.

The Gunners needed goals – and one of Europe’s most prolific strikers had just become available. Arteta moved quickly, breaking the bank to bring Viktor Gyokeres to north London, convinced the Swede could be the man to finally carry his team to the summit.

On Saturday lunchtime, Gyokeres showed precisely why that faith was so strong. The super Swede was relentless, leading the line with power and purpose even after captain and creator-in-chief Martin Odegaard was forced off the pitch.

Martin Zubimendi’s scorcher broke the deadlock before Gyokeres doubled the Gunners’ lead just after the interval. Zubimendi would net his second in the final minutes.

Buoyed by the energy of their new signing, the Gunners poured forward with freedom, their new No.9 thundering a shot off the woodwork in search of more.

With Eberechi Eze weaving between the lines, Noni Madueke stretching defenders wide, and Gyökeres driving through the middle – Arsenal’s reimagined attack looked fluid, fearless and built for a title charge.

“This has been more about Arsenal than it has been about Forest,” Steph Houghton said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Eberechi Eze has been amazing and he has given them something different. Noni Madueke, you can see his confidence is high.”

While Danny Gabbidon added: “A lot of Arsenal fans were doubting the transfer and Noni Madueke looks in electric form.

“He can go either way. He will go on his right as much as he cuts in on his left. From a defensive point of view, that’s difficult to defend against.

“He has caused all sorts of problems.”

It was the exact response Arsenal needed after their Liverpool embarrassment ahead of the international break.

If Gyokeres maintains this level, Eze continues to unlock defences and Madueke grows into his role, Arsenal won’t be the hunters – they’ll be the hunted.

For Arteta, after three years of falling just short, this could finally be the season his project reaches its peak.