Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta highlighted the importance of strength in depth as the Gunners ran out 3-0 winners over Nottingham Forest amid injuries to several key players.
Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz were both already sidelined prior to kick-off on Saturday but captain Martin Odegaard was forced off early on in the clash at the Emirates.
However, Saka understudy Noni Madueke, fresh from scoring his first England goal against Serbia in midweek, produced a dazzling display as a Martin Zubimendi brace and Viktor Gyokeres goal ensured a miserable start to life at Forest for new boss Ange Postecoglou.
The game also saw an impressive showing from Eberechi Eze, who on his full debut in Arsenal colours provided the assist for Gyokeres, as Arteta flexed his squad’s attacking muscle in a largely comfortable first fixture back after the international break.
“After the international break when the players have been away for a long, long time, it’s always a question mark as to how they are going to react, how they are going to glide and connect together,” Arteta told TNT Sports.
“I think the team certainly did that. A clean sheet and having some players start for the first time and having big performances so overall very good.”
Zubimendi set Arsenal on the path to victory with his first Gunners goal: a sublime first-half volley that flew into the top corner and gave Forest keeper Matz Sels no chance.
And Arteta hailed his compatriot’s impact since joining from Real Sociedad in the summer, as well as the contributions of Madueke, Eze and Gyokeres.
“He’s [Zubimendi] come into club and you feel that real presence, that real authority with everything he does on that pitch. If he can contribute on top of that with goals, what else can we ask?
“The three [Madueke, Eze and Gyokeres] compliment each other. Noni again was outstanding, he looks a real threat. Viktor is very intelligent and Ebs giving you something as a different kind of flow, different connections and very unpredictable as well.
“This is what we want. When you look around at other clubs and the squads that they have built, we all are the same in that we want to be competing at the highest level.
“We already lost Kai [Havertz] for three or four months, we lost Bukayo [Saka] as well and we need those replacements. The Premier League is so tough.”
The Arsenal boss is hoping to have Odegaard back in time for the trip to Athletic Club on matchday one of the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Gunners travel to the Basque Country – the place of Arteta’s birth – full of confidence having won three of their opening four Premier League matches.
