Mikel Arteta substituted Eberechi Eze with Noni Madueke at half-time and his replacement went on to score the winning goal for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest

Mikel Arteta claims the way Nottingham Forest were defending is why he substituted Eberechi Eze with Noni Madueke at the City Ground.

Madueke came on for Eze at half-time, and the former Chelsea winger scored Arsenal 's winner on Sunday evening. That goal was his first since the final day of last season against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Arteta selected Madueke to replace the injured Christos Tzolis against Leeds United last weekend but initially opted for Eze in the East Midlands. However, the former Palace player was hooked after 45 minutes, in a change that proved inspired after his impact.

Speaking to Sky Sports about the substitution, Arteta said the reasoning behind bringing Eze off was "the way they (Forest) were defending."

The manager also specifically referenced Wednesday's match against Lille in the Champions League, against whom Eze scored his first goal of the season. Arteta acknowledged: "Three days ago, he scored a goal and he should have scored three, and we are all happy.

Eze had three shots on target at Emirates Stadium, with his other two being blocked. Arteta concluded: "So this is football; that's why you need fresh legs, a different profile, and to try different things."

On the difference between the two players, Ian Wright said on Sky Sports: "It's very tough for him at the minute. Madueke has that pace, but Eze is more of a moments player.

"He likes to come in-field, but it's going to be very tough for him to get in the team in those positions.

"It looks like he's going to be on the left-hand side, but he needs players around him when he has the ball. Taking someone on isn't his main skill. In the middle of the pitch, he can go left or right, but he's a bit isolated.

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"I'd have a go [if I were Eze]. Whatever happens, he's not going to be one of the first teamers - he'll come in and out of the team like Gyokeres and Madueke, so he'll have to take an opportunity and do what he does.

"The way it went in the first half, I thought he'd take him off. I didn't think it would be at half-time though, he must be devastated. I would prefer the manager to take me off because I'm trying things rather than have nothing to show for it. He didn't really do anything; I think he should just go for it and force the issue because it looks like the manager might not pick him anyway.

"With Eze's ability and what he's capable of, it's on him, but at the moment it feels tough for him; you can see it's not happening for him."