LONDON: Reiss Nelson was the unlikely hero as Arsenal retook top spot in the Premier League with a 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Nelson was introduced for the first time in the Premier League this season after Bukayo Saka was forced off with a concerning injury for England boss Gareth Southgate just weeks ahead of the World Cup.

Saka set up the opening goal for Gabriel Martinelli after just five minutes before being replaced due to an ankle injury.

Nelson struck his first Premier League goal early in the second half to give Arsenal breathing space.

He added a second just three minutes later and then teed up Thomas Partey to curl into the top corner.

Martin Odegaard rounded off a performance that shrugged off doubts over Arsenal’s ability to contend for the title by firing high past Dean Henderson 13 minutes from time.

Victory lifts Mikel Arteta’s men a point above Manchester City at the top of the table.

Arsenal players came together to show support to team-mate Pablo Mari before kick-off.

Mari, who is on loan at Monza, was stabbed during a knife attack in an Italian supermarket this week that left one person dead.

That incident put Arsenal’s bad week on the field into perspective after a 1-1 draw at Southampton last weekend was followed by a 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.

On Saturday, Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp was left to ponder his side’s inability to control games this season as a late goal gave struggling Leeds United a surprise 2-1 win at Anfield despite the Reds dominating the game.

Liverpool conceded early but bounced back to equalise through Mohamed Salah. They enjoyed almost 70 per cent possession and had 10 shots on target but still they came away empty-handed as a 29-game unbeaten run at home was ended.Klopp’s side created a total of 22 scoring chances but injuries and illness have robbed them of key players, not least in attack where they are missing Diogo Jota.

Fulham moved up to seventh place despite squandering a host of chances in a 0-0 draw against Everton.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2022