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According to a report by Football London on Monday October 19, 2026, Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest, extending their impressive record of narrow wins and achieving a milestone that no other club across Europe’s top five leagues has matched.
Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to find their rhythm during the opening half, continuing a frustrating pattern that has appeared in recent matches. Their performance improved only slightly after the interval.
However, Noni Madueke eventually made the difference, cutting inside from the left flank before unleashing a powerful effort that took a deflection and found the back of the net.
The decisive strike secured three valuable points for Arsenal, allowing the Gunners to maintain their momentum while highlighting their ability to grind out results even when their overall performance falls below expectations.
Arsenal’s latest victory also revived memories of George Graham’s successful era, when defensive organisation and discipline became the foundation of the club’s achievements. His approach frequently attracted criticism from rival supporters.
The famous chant, “One-nil to the Arsenal,” emerged from that period, celebrating the team’s ability to secure victories through defensive solidity rather than spectacular attacking displays. Supporters once again embraced the familiar song after Madueke’s decisive contribution.
Although Arsenal have not recorded numerous 1-0 victories recently, their overall record in closely contested matches has been remarkable. According to Squawka, the Nottingham Forest result represented their 18th single-goal victory across the last two seasons.
That achievement places Arsenal ahead of every other club competing in Europe’s five leading domestic leagues, underlining their consistency in securing narrow victories when matches remain competitive until the final whistle.
While rival supporters might question whether Arsenal’s approach is entertaining, Arteta will undoubtedly prioritise results as his team continues pursuing major honours across multiple competitions.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s latest triumph demonstrates their resilience and determination. Even when performances are unconvincing, their ability to find decisive moments and protect advantages remains a valuable strength throughout the season.