David Raya has praised Arsenal’s remarkable response to their disappointing defeat against Brighton after the Premier League champions secured a third consecutive victory with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Noni Madueke’s late strike proved decisive at the City Ground on Sunday, extending Arsenal’s winning run since the international break and reinforcing the team’s determination to recover from their September setback.
Arsenal suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against Brighton before the international break, a result that gave Mikel Arteta and his players several weeks to reflect on their performance. Their response since returning to action has impressed Raya, who believes the team has demonstrated the resilience required to compete at the highest level.
“The way we responded, the way we played, the way we came back, is incredible,” the goalkeeper said, expressing satisfaction with the performances delivered in recent matches.
Arsenal’s victory over Forest was far from comfortable, however, as the visitors struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a determined home side.
Forest threatened early through Dan Ndoye, whose driven effort was turned around the post by Raya. The hosts continued to pose problems after the restart, with James McAtee sending a free-kick over the crossbar and Murillo forcing another effort towards the Arsenal goalkeeper from a corner.
Arsenal enjoyed plenty of possession but found it difficult to break down Forest’s defensive organisation. Kai Havertz also missed an opportunity in the first half, while Declan Rice failed to convert a promising opening after the interval.
With the game heading towards a frustrating stalemate, Arteta introduced Madueke at half-time, and the winger eventually delivered the breakthrough in the 80th minute.
Madueke cut inside from the left and unleashed a powerful effort towards the far corner. His shot took a deflection off Forest defender Jair Cunha, wrong-footing goalkeeper Matz Sels before finding the net.
It was Arsenal’s only shot on target throughout the match, making the goal an illustration of how a single decisive moment can settle a difficult Premier League contest.
Raya praised his teammates for maintaining their belief despite the lack of attacking opportunities, highlighting the maturity and determination required to secure all three points.
“We showed maturity and a lot of desire,” he said, explaining that Arsenal continued to do the right things until their persistence was rewarded.
The goalkeeper also recognised Madueke’s contribution, describing him as a special player and celebrating his ability to make the difference at a challenging venue.
The result was particularly satisfying for Arsenal because of their recent difficulties at the City Ground. They had drawn their previous two visits to Nottingham Forest without scoring, making Sunday’s victory an important step forward.
Beyond the three points, the performance demonstrated Arsenal’s ability to grind out results even when their attacking football is not at its most effective. That quality was central to their title-winning campaign last season and could prove equally important as they defend their Premier League crown.
Raya acknowledged that there were still areas for improvement but insisted the team would take encouragement from its recent performances.
Arsenal now turn their attention to a demanding Champions League trip to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, October 21. The match will provide another significant test of their progress as they seek to maintain their winning momentum against elite European opposition.
For Raya and his teammates, the objective is clear: build on their response to the Brighton defeat, maintain their defensive discipline and continue collecting victories.
Madueke’s late intervention against Forest may not have produced a spectacular team performance, but it delivered the result Arsenal needed. As the champions prepare for their European challenge, their renewed resilience offers a timely boost.
