Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest: Bukayo Saka scores a stunner as the Gunners kick off their season with a win as Eddie Nketiah also enters the scoresheet…despite pressure from Taiwo Awoniyi’s late attack

As Bukayo Saka dropped a shoulder and Gabriel Martinelli pulled off a Cruyff turn, last season’s visions – before April, mind – ran through the Emirates.

It was all in the space of six minutes, and it’s only the first game of the season. There are many more daunting tests to be had in the coming months before an accurate reflection can be made of how far Arsenal have bridged the gap with Manchester City.

But this screening showed the same aspect from the previous campaign: moments of individual brilliance.

The Gunners weren’t at their best. The last 10 minutes gave a taste of past uncertainty and difficulties in dealing with extreme pressure.

When Taiwo Awoniyi’s attack outscored goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with eight minutes of regular time left, after a mighty 50-yard sprint from Anthony Elanga, the concern around him was palpable.

Especially when Morgan Gibbs-White shot over the crossbar two minutes later.

But the two goals that sealed victory against stubborn Nottingham Forest were a work of magic that can only be achieved by the league’s better players.

After 26 minutes, Martinelli was surrounded by Danilo and Serge Aurier. Instead of passing sideways or backwards, the Brazilian went through both with a Cruyff turn. The ball landed in Eddie Nketiah’s path and his shot beat ex-teammate Matt Turner after a small deflection from a defender.

That had deflated the home side after a bouncy start, so Saka’s sublime goal, which saw the 21-year-old curl the ball into the top left corner from outside the box, kept them grounded. A kick in the groin, in many ways.

Yes, Mikel Arteta was left partially frustrated, waving his arms up and calling on his men to speed up the game. But that’s because he knows how much they’re capable of.

Actions speak louder than words, and Arsenal’s actions this summer indicate a club with only the number 1 spot in mind.

Though even the most ardent Gunners follower would have felt stunned by this lineup.

Gabriel, after a fair performance in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City, was dropped to Nketiah.

That caused Thomas Partey to come in at right back and Ben White moved to center back.

Lots of tinkering, adding to Arteta’s delight in making sure no player is completely sure of their position week after week.

It may well be a page from Pep Guardiola’s philosophy of winning a campaign.

This reasoning has, of course, advantages. A hungry player has more trouble than one who is comfortable.

Still, if you were to ring the bills, against Forest in the season opener is arguably a lower risk.

The squad’s depth was reflected in quality players, including Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior who remained on the bench, and Kieran Tierney who didn’t even make the squad.

The afternoon began as a farce, a chaotic failure of Arsenal’s new digital ticketing system delaying the game with thousands of supporters stranded outside.

The e-ticket system had collapsed, preventing fans from scanning their e-tickets at the turnstiles.

It was a dangerous mistake, and one that cannot be repeated. The game then started 30 minutes late and the home side wanted to make up for lost time with a smothered attack after two minutes.

Forest’s only real chance came after 12 minutes in the first half. It was the kind that has to go to stand a chance against the league’s better teams.

The ball bounced forward in open play, Brennan Johnson left one-on-one against Ramsdale.

Ramsdale sprinted off his line. Johnson, clearly impressed by the onrushing keeper, lobbed the ball over. A crucial, crucial opportunity.

Later, Johnson eagerly closed off William Saliba and nearly had another chance on target, but Ben White was on hand to clear up the mess.

There was little else for the visiting team in the first period – apart from Arsenal chances and goals.

Martin Odegaard and Saka combined like clockwork on the right side, graceful passes that twisted the opponent one way then the other.

Captain Odegaard played through Kai Havertz, who clashed with ex-teammate Matt Turner – his transfer to Forest had been completed just days earlier.

The energetic Nketiah stuck his leg out on a Turner free kick in the 22nd minute, the ball flying over the goal.

Declan Rice then had a daring shot for goal before the half was over.

Jurrien Timber fell uncomfortably to the ground a few minutes after the restart and had to be replaced by Tomiyasu.

After impressing during the pre-season, it was not a good sign.

Rice had a few more tries on target, one of which almost shot into a bottom corner, only for Turner to thwart.

But the magic had already run out.