RECAP: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest - Premier League: Live score, team news and updates

That concludes today's live coverage of Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest.

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Arsenal stay in fourth place in the Premier League despite their impressive 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

One more goal would have taken the Gunners above Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Forest drop to sixth, behind Brighton.

Nottingham Forest midfielder James Ward-Prowse on Sky Sports:

On a day like this you need to be solid defensively and take your chances. Ultimately it was not good enough and it was three relatively easy goals for them. We are going to have to improve our defensive structure.

The rain poured all afternoon in Birmingham and the wind swirled around Villa Park.

And amid the torrential downpour, Unai Emery and Aston Villa's problems were deepening until Ross Barkley salvaged a point against Crystal Palace in a thrilling game, 13 minutes from time.

Not since November 2021 when a Villa side managed by Dean Smith lost five on the trot had they endured such a run.

It was a run that resulted in the sacking of Smith.

For Emery himself, four defeats in a row going into this game was a first in a managerial career spanning over a thousand games.

A point will do little to please him after a game where Villa dominated possession but were far too open defensively and missed a crucial first-half penalty, when the score was one apiece.

A 93rd-minute effort from David Brooks was the least what Bournemouth deserved, and Antoine Semenyo almost completed the comeback with an absurd volley in the 96th, only for it to ping off the crossbar, the final kick of the game.

Bournemouth had at least two opportunities that really should have rippled the back of the net, both of which came to an Evanilson chasing four goals in as many games, but his wasteful finishing was ultimately punished by the visitors.

Brighton went down to 10 after Carlos Baleba was given his marching orders, but they held on well in difficult circumstances, and Fabian Hurzeler's side will make the 96-mile trip home with three points in the bag that further consolidate their status as one of the biggest threats to the established order this season.

An emphatic 3-0 victory — and substitute Ethan Nwaneri nabs a goal at the end.

A great afternoon for Arsenal at a time of pressure building around them because of their Premier League form.

Mikel Arteta made a series of changes which was a risky move — including starting Jorginho and dropping both Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz — but it paid off to a tee.

Boos at full-time at Goodison.

Even against 10 men, Everton managed to become the first team this season to fail to score against Brentford – and that despite having 27 shots, though only five on target.

What a day for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

A fine counter-attack has just seen Gary O'Neil's side make it 4-1 at Craven Cottage.

Goncalo Guedes is the scorer. Limbs in the away end!

David Brooks scores his first Premier League goal in over a year.

But is it too little too late for the Cherries?

There's still at least three minutes of added time to play.

Game over at Craven Cottage.

Fulham bossed the first half but Wolves have produced a remarkable turnaround.

Cunha has been the leading light for the away side, scoring two goals and providing an assist.

With five minutes to go, Bournemouth have knocked and knocked on the door but it's just not been their day so far.

They only have themselves to blame, really.

Evanilson should have made it 2-1 on 75 minutes, but somehow managed to find the only yard of the goal covered by Kepa with his head, which would surely have teed up a scintillating final few minutes.

As it is though, Brighton don't look like bedding in and riding out the storm - they've just brought on Evan Ferguson!

Arsenal bring on Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri for Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

Moments later, the two new players combine to wrap up the points for Arsenal.

Sterling gets in down the right and cuts the ball back to Nwaneri, who fires a first-time shot inside the near post.

That is Nwaneri's first ever Premier League goal.

Vill are level.

Ross Barkley finds the net with a well-placed header from Youri Tielemans' inswinging corner kick.

Game on at Villa Park.

And just like that, the game has changed with the red card of Baleba.

It was a slight touch, but it was a reckless challenge from the Brighton midfielder, and he was justly punished.

Hurzeler has shuffled his pack in response to pack his midfield, but the real loss is Pedro being hooked to make way.

Bournemouth have been given a golden opportunity to get back into this one, can they make it pay?

Everton haven’t been able to make their extra man count thus far.

In fact, it’s Brentford who are gaining in confidence much to the frustration of Evertonians sat around the media area.

One fan has shouted to Dyche 'Don’t just stand there'.

Given the Blues boss can’t run on the pitch and score a goal, one assumes the fans want him to bring on some substitutes to change the game.

Forest have rolled the dice and thrown on Ramon Sosa and Taiwo Awoniyi for Nicolas Dominguez and Chris Wood.

However, those changes have done nothing to alter the flow of the game.

It's still one-way traffic and Arsenal are threatening to add to their lead.

The turn-around in this game has been quite amazing.

Fulham totally bossed the first half-hour but find themselves behind and under the cosh following a 53rd-minute strike from Joao Gomes.

Full credit to Gary O’Neil’s men, who have run their socks off

That Thomas Partey goal has settled things right down. You can feel the change in atmosphere since Arsenal went 2-0 up.

It’s a cushion that makes this final 30 minutes more customary.

So far, so good from a Gunners perspective.

Chris Wood coming on for Forest now will be something to watch out for, though. He could well have an impact.

Brighton are down to 10 men after Carlos Baleba is shown his second yellow card.

His second booking, for a foul on Milos Kerkez, was perhaps a little harsh.

But as it was a second yellow, rather than a straight red, VAR cannot intervene.

Partey's thunderbolt was teed up by Bukayo Saka, who has now produced 13 goal contributions for Arsenal this season.

Saka opened the scoring earlier today with his fifth club goal of the campaign.

That pass to Partey was assist No 8.

We are underway here in the second half. Arsenal are well worth their lead. If anything, they should be further ahead. That will be Mikel Arteta’s concern, though. Forest have grown adept at landing the sucker punch this season. Will they here?

Just as I type that... Thomas Partey smacks home from 20 yards to settle any frayed nerves.

That should be game over.

Brighton double their lead against the run of play.

Kaoru Mitoma finishes sweetly after a superb assist by star man Joao Pedro.

Mitoma's goal is checked by the VAR for a possible offside but the green lines confirm he was on.

The second 45 minutes has kicked off at the Emirates Stadium (and at Villa, Park, the Vitality Stadium, Goodison Park and Craven Cottage).

Both managers have made one change during the interval.

Forest have brought Jota Silva on for Anthony Elanga.

Meanwhile, Thomas Partey has entered the action for the Gunners, replacing Jorginho.

It's been quite a frustrating watch for the home fans.

Brighton have been open at the back, inviting plenty of probing approach play from Bournemouth, but it's the visitors who go in ahead.

Joao Pedro in particular has been brilliant - I'm not sure how many players have attempted more back-heels in a single game as the Brazilian has today, and in his defence, most of them have come off.

He's also earning plenty of groans from the home fans, after twice going down under what the Cherries supporters judged to be little contact, but he has been involved in almost every Brighton move so far.

It’s half-time at the Emirates. Arsenal will be pleased they’re ahead in a half full of dominance.

They looked close to their best this season. Leandro Trossard was back on song, thriving in that left wing position he’s vacated of late to Gabriel Martinelli.

Martin Odegaard also shone, too, weaving his magic in that midfield area and linking well with Bukayo Saka.

The Gunners will hope for a second goal right after the break to start to put this match out of reach.

Arsenal 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa 1-2 Crystal Palace

Bournemouth 0-1 Brighton

Everton 0-0 Brentford

Fulham 1-1 Wolves

Arsenal could - and perhaps should - be three or four goals ahead at the interval.

The Gunners have bossed possession with 70% and registered 11 shots - nine more than Forest.

Keeper Matz Sels has been a busy man but he could do nothing to stop Bukayo Saka's stunning opener.

Wow!

Just moments after Tielemans saw his penalty saved by Henderson, Palace have scored at the other end.

Henderson leads the celebrations after seeing Justin Devenny put the away side in front.

Drama at Villa Park!

Villa are awarded a penalty kick following a VAR check for a foul by Will Hughes on Leon Bailey.

After a significant delay, Youri Tielemans steps up but he is denied by a fine save from Dean Henderson.

Some unexpected drama at Everton.

Brentford skipper Christian Norgaard has been sent off after a VAR check for catching Jordan Pickford high on the leg as he stretched for a knockdown.

Brentford are furious and have surrounded referee Chris Kavanagh and someone on the visitor’s bench has been booked.

Can Everton take advantage of the extra man they have?

Ollie Watkins's goal drought in the Premier League is over.

There's a quick VAR check but Watkins timed his run to perfection and he rounds Dean Henderson before finishing into an empty net.

It's his first league goal since October 19.

The first groans being heard at Goodison with the early breakthrough not made.

Everton are still ahead on points but their struggles in front of goal continue.

Mark Flekken has just saved well from Dominic Calvert-Lewin

What a goal!

Cunha chases onto a long ball from Mario Lemina. His first touch is exquisite.

His second is a cool finish to chip Bernd Leno from seven yards.

Arsenal are playing for lovely stuff right now and Forest are struggling to cope with the slick, fast passing from the home side.

It was almost 2-0 a moment ago but Gabriel Jesus curled a shot just wide.

Prime minister Keir Starmer is among the crowd at the Emirates and appears to be impressed by what he is seeing.

Evanilson has to square it.

The Brazilian forward is sent clean through down the right and arcs into the box to go one-on-one with Bart Verbruggen, but rather than lay it into the path of his team-mate at the far post for a tap-in to equalise.

Bournemouth are pressing for that equaliser, and that's been the best chance of the lot.

Just like that, we have a goal - and what a strike it was from Alex Iwobi.

No chance for Jose Sa.

It has been all Fulham for the last 10 minutes and their persistence has paid off.

That’s six goals in 11 games for Iwobi against Wolves - two more than he’s scored against any other side.

It's early doors but there's already a sense of frustration at Villa Park.

Defeat here would mean five losses on the trot in all competitions.

The last time they did that, it resulted in the sacking of Dean Smith back in November 2021.

So far, this game has been like the weather: bleak.

Wolves are wearing their striking third kit this afternoon - described as ‘hyper violet’ by the club.

I wonder how many they’ve managed to shift from the club shop as it wouldn’t be on my Christmas list!

Brighton may have drawn first blood, but it's a very open game so far here at a soggy Vitality Stadium - as you'd expect from two sides that press so high up the pitch.

Bournemouth have had their chances to draw level, preying on the Brighton high line, but wrong decisions in crucial moments around the box are costing them thus far.

Some of the football being played by Brighton - bearing in mind the torrential downpour - is just breath-taking, but they do look exposed at the back on the counter.

It's been all Arsenal so far and they take a deserved lead thanks to a fabulous strike by Bukayo Saka.

The England star linked up well with Martin Odegaard before running past multiple defenders inside a packed 18-yard box.

He then beat goalkeeper Sels with a rocket into the top corner from 15 yards.

Iliman Ndiaye has started on fire for Everton.

Some old-fashioned dribbling has got the Goodison crowd going.

There is nothing better than seeing a littl’un weaving in and out of big flummoxed defenders which is happening at the moment

It's still 0-0 at the Emirates Stadium but only just.

Jurrien Timber sees a scrappy goal against Nottingham Forest ruled out because Mikel Merino was very narrowly offside in the build-up.

It took a lengthy VAR review to confirm it, but the linesman got it spot on.

It's brilliant from Ismaila Sarr, who finishes wonderfully in front of the Holte End.

Ian Maatsen can't keep up with him and Palace have a shock lead.

Oliver Glasner looks as shocked as the rest of us!

The first goal of the 3pm kick-offs has arrived and it's come on the south coast.

Joao Pedro's fourth of the season has the Seagulls in front early one.

The action finally is underway at the Emirates, as it is at Villa Park, the Vitality Stadium, Goodison Park and Craven Cottage.

Here we go! Standby...

A few nerves jangling at Goodison.

Sean Dyche’s side meet Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United among others in December so a result – and probably a victory – is imperative against Brentford today.

On the positive for Bluenoses, the Londoners have lost every away game so far this season.

And Dwight McNeil is back for the home side having missed the drab goalless draw at West Ham.

The Arsenal line-up is a surprise indeed. Starting Jorginho, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Jesus was nor predicted or expected by anybody.

Jorginho has just made two league starts this season prior today, Jesus has struggled and Thomas Partey was the expected pick over Merino in midfield.

Against a Nottingham Forest side who are unbeaten on the road, this will be a big, big test.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said ahead of this game that Bournemouth presented an 'even harder challenge' than Man City, which is high praise indeed.

And in his defence, Bournemouth also proved too much for the current four-in-a-row champions, and have also seen off Arsenal at home this season at their fortress.

In fact, in the league Bournemouth have only been beaten once at home - 1-0 by Chelsea - and have also picked up a point against Newcastle in a fantastic start to the campaign.

A win today would leave Bournemouth with twice as many points (18) as they managed after 12 games last term (nine) - testament if ever it was needed to just how fantastic a job Andoni Iraola has done here.

Chelsea have just wrapped up a 2-1 win away at Leicester.

The Blues bossed most of the game and led 2-0 - thanks to strikes from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez - until Jordan Ayew netted from the penalty spot deep into added time.

That result moves Chelsea three points clear of Arsenal and Forest.

The Gunners must score at least four goals in order to move above their London rivals this afternoon.

Ian Maatsen gets his first Premier League start for Aston Villa.

The Dutchman is in ahead of Lucas Digne, while Lamare Bogarde, John McGinn and Ross Barkley also start.

But despite Unai Emery insisting that Ollie Watkins must fight for his place, with Jhon Duran waiting in the wings, Watkins retains his position up front.

Villa have lost their last four in all competitions and will be desperate for three points here.

The Nottingham Forest bus arrived nice and early at the Emirates Stadium earlier this afternoon.

Will Nuno Espirito Santo try to park it or will his side go toe-to-toe with Arsenal?

Forest have already kept clean sheets against West Ham, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Liverpool this season.

However, Arsenal have not been shutout at home since April when Aston Villa won 2-0 in north London.

It is absolutely apocalyptic here in Bournemouth. When you hear Bournemouth and Brighton you think of the sunny South Coast, maybe even a lovely afternoon on the beach.

Not today, though. It is absolutely soaking wet and has been pelting it down in the build-up to kick-off.

It will be interesting to see what sort of impact the weather has on today's game, with both teams preferring to zip it around on the deck.

Hopefully both sides can find a way to keep up the entertainment factor that has made these two so easy on the eyes this term.

This will be the 15th Premier League meeting between Arsenal and Forest.

The Gunners have won nine of the first 14 and only lost two.

Arsenal have only hosted Forest three times during the Emirates Stadium era, winning 2-1, 5-0 and 5-0, with one of those games coming in the EFL Cup.

However, Forest beat the Gunners 1-0 at the City Ground as recently as May last year.

I walked past a man flogging Christmas trees on my walk to Craven Cottage and Wolves boss Gary O’Neil will be hoping all his Christmases come at once at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

He desperately needs a result to help ease the pressure on his job. There’s no shortage of cheer at Fulham, though, who are dreaming of forcing their way into contention for Europe.

They make one change from their victory over Crystal Palace with Sasa Lukic returning from injury.

There’s no Craig Dawson for Wolves and it looks as though Mario Lemina may deputise for him at the back.

Everton XI: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Doucoure, McNeil, Lindstrom, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Virgínia, Patterson, Keane, O'Brien, Mangala, Harrison, Armstrong, Bates, Beto

Brentford XI: Flekken, Van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Wissa

Subs: Valdimarsson, Schade, Thiago, Carvalho, Mee, Yarmoliuk, Konak, Roerslev, Maghoma

Bournemouth XI: Arrizabalaga, Kerkez, Cook, Senesi, Evanilson, Adams, Smith, Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo, Zabarnyi

Subs: Travers, Huijsen, Brooks, Ouattara, Hill, Unal, Billing, Aarons, Kinsey

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Igor, Pedro, Rutter, Welbeck, Baleba, Mitoma, Ayari, Van Hecke, Estupinan, Veltman

Subs: Steele, Gruda, Encisco, Adingra, Wieffer, Ferguson, O'Riley, McConville, Samuels

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Bogard, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Maatsen, McGinn, Tielemans, Barkley, Bailey, Rogers, Watkins

Subs: Olsen, Cash, Mings, Digne, Nedeljkovic, Broggio, Buendia, Philogene, Duran

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Lacroix, Chalobah, Guehi, Mitchell, Hughes, Devenny, Doucoure, Mateta, Sarr

Subs: Turner, Matthews, Ward, Lerma, Schlupp, Clyne, Richards, Kporha, Agbinone

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Pereira, Lukic, Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Jimenez

Subs: Benda, Wilson, Muniz, Cairney, Traore, Castagne, King, Sessegnon, Diop

Wolves XI: Sa, Semedo, Lemina, Toti, Ait-Nouri, Andre, J. Gomes, Bellegarde, R. Gomes, Cunha, Strand Larsen

Subs: Bentley, Doherty, Hwang, Doyle, Forbs, Guedes, Cundle, Pond, Edozie

Gabriel Jesus starts up front for Arsenal - only his second Premier League start this season.

Declan Rice is on the bench, with Jorginho partnering Mikel Merino in midfield.

In White's absence, Riccardo Calafiori comes into the back four.

Forest's headline team news is that top scorer Chris Wood is on the bench.

Meanwhile, Morgan Gibbs-White misses out completely.

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Jorginho; Saka, Gabriel Jesús, Trossard

Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Partey, Rice, Martinelli, Havertz, Sterling, Nwaneri

Nottingham Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Alex Moreno; Dominguez, Yates; Elanga, Ward-Prowse, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi

Subs: Miguel, Morato, Williams, Toffolo, da Silva Moreira, Boly, Wood, Silva, Sosa

It won't be a White Christmas for Arsenal.

Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed yesterday that defender Ben White would be out of action for 'months' following knee surgery.

It will be interesting to see how the Gunners cope without their star right back.

Click below to read more.

Good afternoon. The Premier League is back!

There are FIVE games kicking off at 3pm and we will be bringing you news of all the goals as they go in, plus updates from our reporters around the grounds.

Our primary focus will be a wet Emirates Stadium, where fourth plays fifth as Arsenal host Nottingham Forest.

Team news is just minutes away.