LONDON: Reiss Nelson performed brilliantly as he helped Arsenal return to the top of the English Premier League by beating Nottingham Forest 5-0.
Nelson was introduced for the first time in the English Premier League this season after Bukayo Saka was forced off.
Saka assisted Gabriel Martinelli’s opener in the fifth minute before being replaced with an ankle injury.
Nelson scored his first Premier League goal since July 2020 early in the second half, and added three minutes later before setting up Thomas Partey’s goal.
“It couldn’t have been better for me after coming on. Once the goal was scored, it was a pretty great game.
“I’ve been working hard in training, waiting for the opportunity to play and I’m glad I got it,” Nelson said.
Martin Odegaard completed Arsenal’s victory with 13 minutes remaining.
The win lifted Mikel Arteta’s squad one point ahead of Manchester City.
“It’s good to be there. It’s always difficult to win in this league and today we face a difficult game after playing in Europe, and I think the team responded well,” said Arteta.
Arsenal players also showed support for teammate Pablo Mari before kick-off.
Mari, who is on loan at Monza, was stabbed with a knife while with his family in a supermarket in Italy last week.
It’s been a miserable week for Arsenal after a 1-1 draw at Southampton and then a 2-0 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.