How Arsenal overcame Nottingham Forest to climb back to the top of the Premier League table - live

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table in emphatic fashion as they beat Nottingham Forest 5-0 at Emirates Stadium.

It was a result inspired by substitute Reiss Nelson, who came off the bench to score twice and assist one in a largely one-sided affair.

It took the Gunners just six minutes to open the scoring, when Gabriel Martinelli latched onto a delicate cross from Bukayo Saka, before nodding past Dean Henderson in the Forest goal.

But Saka was forced off with a suspected ankle injury mid-way through the first half, prompting the arrival of Nelson to the fray.

As the first half headed for its climax, Arsenal almost gifted Forest a way back into the game. A lapse in concentration from Gabriel saw the Brazilian play a pass straight to Jesse Lingard on the edge of the six-yard box, but the forward couldn’t turn his effort into the Arsenal net.

Arsenal picked up where they left off in the second half and, after Jesus forced Henderson into an early save, they got their second. Xhaka pulled the ball back for Jesus in the box, who teed up Nelson on the turn and the youngster fired a rebound into the top corner after his initial shot was saved.

Two minutes later Nelson had his second and Arsenal’s third. This time he popped up in the six-yard box to meet a low cross and tapped in from close range.

A manic ten minutes was complete just before the hour mark, when Nelson turned provider as he set up Thomas Partey on the edge of the area to bend a powerful long-range effort into the near top corner.

Forest didn’t create much at all in the second period, with the best chance falling for Emmanuel Dennis who broke into the box down the left, but wasted two opportunities to shoot after tieing Gabriel in knots.

With twelve minutes left, it was Martin Odegaard who capped off a brilliant team performance as he received a short pass from Jesus in the box, shifted the ball onto his left foot and fired high into the roof of the net.

Jesus could have made it six late on but will be left wondering how he didn’t convert at the back post in the dying embers of the match.

It was a complete performance from Mikel Arteta’s side, who continue to look in fine shape at the summit of the top-flight.

(Photo: Getty Images)