According to a report by Football London on Monday, October 19, 2026, Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, extending their impressive record in closely contested matches and achieving a milestone unmatched by any other club in Europe’s top five leagues.

Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to establish their rhythm in the first half, continuing a frustrating pattern that has featured in recent matches. Their performance improved only marginally after the break as they searched for a breakthrough.

Noni Madueke eventually proved decisive, cutting inside from the left flank before unleashing a powerful shot that took a deflection and found the back of the net.

The goal secured three important points for Arsenal, allowing the Gunners to maintain their momentum and demonstrate their ability to win even when their overall performance falls short of expectations.

Arsenal’s latest triumph also brought back memories of George Graham’s successful era, when defensive organisation and discipline formed the foundation of the club’s achievements. His approach often attracted criticism from rival supporters.

The famous chant, “One-nil to the Arsenal,” originated during that period, celebrating the team’s ability to secure victories through defensive strength rather than spectacular attacking football. Supporters revived the familiar song following Madueke’s decisive contribution against Forest.

Although Arsenal have not recorded many 1-0 victories recently, their record in closely contested games has been outstanding. According to Squawka, the win over Nottingham Forest marked their 18th single-goal victory across the last two seasons.

This places Arsenal ahead of every other club in Europe’s five leading domestic leagues, highlighting their consistency in finding ways to win matches that remain competitive until the final whistle.

While rival supporters may question whether Arsenal’s approach is entertaining, Arteta will be more concerned with results as his team continues to pursue major honours across multiple competitions.

Ultimately, the victory underlines Arsenal’s resilience and determination. Their ability to produce decisive moments and protect narrow leads remains a valuable asset, particularly when performances are less convincing.