TAIWO Awoniyi came off the bench to score at the Emirates Stadium today as Nottingham Forest lost their opening game of the new English Premier League campaign 2-1 to hosts Arsenal.
The Super Eagles striker, celebrating his 26th birthday today, struck late to pull one back for the visitors after Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka had given Arsenal a 2-0 lead in the first half.
With his goal, Awoniyi became the first Nottingham Forest player to score in five consecutive Premier League games since Stan Collymore in 1995, two years before the Nigeria international was born.
The impressive Gabriel Martinelli set up Arsenal’s first goal in the 26th minute, producing a brilliant piece of skill to back heel the ball to Nketiah, who struck a firm shot past former Gunners goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Saka, equally as impressive on Martinelli’s opposite flank, curled in the second goal in the 32nd minute as Arsenal took firm control.
The Gunners were cruising to a routine win when Awoniyi, who was carrying an ankle knock and was introduced in the 71st minute, applied the finishing touch from close range after fellow substitute Anthony Elanga broke from their own half and ran the length of the pitch to provide a low cross.
Awoniyi’s Super Eagles teammate Ola Aina made his Forest debut today and lasted for 72 minutes.
The result means Nottingham Forest have lost their opening league games in five consecutive seasons for the first time in their history.
