Arsenal player ratings vs Nottingham Forest as one scores 8/10 and a rare 6/10 in Premier League opener

Arsenal won their first Premier League game of the season as Bukayo Saka's exceptional first-half strike paved the way for a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest during the league's opening weekend.

Eddie Nketiah's early 26th-minute goal saw the Gunners go in front before Saka's sublime shot from outside the penalty area showcased his finesse as the ball gracefully curved into the top left corner of the net.

Despite their dominance, last season's Premier League runners-up had to fend off a late resurgence from Nottingham Forest, who managed to pull one back through substitute Taiwo Awoniyi in the 83rd minute.

The eagerly awaited match encountered an unexpected 30-minute delay due to technical glitches in the e-ticketing system at Emirates Stadium.

Brennan Johnson broke through on goal early on, but the Welsh forward's attempt sailed high and wide in the first big chance of the game for the away side.

Forest improved after the break as substitutes Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi combined, with the latter finishing off an excellent run and cross from the former Manchester United midfielder.

Here’s how we rated the Arsenal players in the 2-1 win:

Aaron Ramsdale - Didn’t have too much to do and couldn’t prevent the consolation goal. 7.

Ben White - White showcased his defensive prowess, offering timely interceptions and composed ball distribution from the backline.

William Saliba - A solid outing for Saliba, who provided stability in defence. 7.

Jurrien Timber - Came off injured in the second half but had a solid performance overall. 7.

Thomas Partey - Distributed the ball effectively and breaking up plays efficiently. 7.

Declan Rice - Exhibited a strong work ethic in midfield, covering ground diligently and aiding in defensive transitions. 7.

Martin Odegaard - The captain led by example, orchestrating Arsenal’s attacks with vision and creativity. 7.

Kai Havertz - Havertz showcased glimpses of his technical ability and contributed well to link-up play in the middle. 7.

Bukayo Saka - Saka stole the show with an impressive performance, scoring a crucial goal and consistently troubling Forest’s defense with his pace and skill. 8.

Gabriel Martinelli - Martinelli’s energetic and determined display added an extra dimension to Arsenal’s attack, creating several opportunities. 7.

Eddie Nketiah - Nketiah was clinical in front of goal, opening the scoring with a well-taken strike and showcasing his poaching instincts. 7.

Subs:

Takehiro Tomiyasu - A solid performance after coming on. 7.

Gabriel - Didn’t have too long to make an impact. N/A.

Leandro Trossard - Made a positive impression after coming on and is pushing for a starting place. 7.