It was a frustrating afternoon for Arsenal at the City Ground on Sunday but they managed to grind out a victory despite not being at their best - the mark of champions.

They had been held well by a stubborn Nottingham Forest side, without a shot on target until the final 15 minutes of the match, going ahead with the first effort that was hitting the target when Noni Madueke's strike took a big deflection and flew past Mats Sels in the home goal.

It was just what Mikel Arteta and the Gunners needed after seeing Manchester City win again on Saturday, to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Here, GIVEMESPORT dishes out school report style grades for all of the Gunners stars.

David Raya - B-

Had very little to do, apart from deal with a flurry of set-pieces that were sent into his box.

Can't be marked down for not having much to do.

Ben White - C

Solid enough at the back for the Gunners, although not too much came down his side. Didn't get forward that much though.

It was a relatively quiet afternoon fior the Englishman, who made way for Jurrien Timber soon after the hour mark.

Ezri Konsa - C

Had his hands full with the physicality of Liam Delap and did not look comfortable for most of the afternoon.

A clean sheet, so not a bad afternoon by any stretch of the imagination, but there are likely to be much tougher tests to come.

Gabriel Magalhaes - B-

Delap was the most dangerous player in the game from both sides, but generally did not trouble Gabriel, instead targeting Calafiori and Konsa.

Did fail to cut out a Callum Hudson-Odoi ball across the box when Forest broke away late on, but it came to nothing.

Riccardo Calafiori - D

A mistake in the first 20 minutes handed Forest a really good opportunity that the Gunners were fortunate they did not take.

Was also caught in possession a couple of times and was given the run around by Liam Delap, who attacked him at will, particularly after the interval.

Declan Rice - C

Got a yellow card for a cynical trip on Delap in the first half and was reasonably solid defensively.

Could not keep an effort down at the end of Arsenal's best move of the match.

Bruno Guimaraes - C+

Really good swivel in the middle of the park to get away from two men and get an Arsenal attack going. Looks like he's really starting to come into his own as an Arsenal player.

In a quiet match by Arsenal's standards, he was perhaps the man most likely to get things going until he went off soon after the hour mark.

Bukayo Saka - C-

Tried to bring a spark down the right but it was one of those games, not just for him, but the entire Arsenal side.

He just could not get anything going as it was a rare off day for the England star.

Martin Odegaard - C-

On a day devoid of attacking excitement, Arsenal really needed their captain to step forward and deliver.

He, like his teammates, did not manage to do so, however. He was at the heart of one excellent Arsenal move, but it came to nought when Rice smashed high into the crowd.

Eberechi Eze - E

Ruined a promising Arsenal attack by falling over the ball inside the Forest area and that led to the home side breaking upfield and winning a free-kick.

Was hooked at half-time after an ineffectual opening 45 minutes. Dire.

Kai Havertz - D

Headed a good chance over the bar from a very fine Declan Rice free-kick. Was starved of service beyond that in the first half as Nottingham Forest set up in a stout defensive shape.

Did little in the second half either and came off soon after the hour mark.

Substitutes

Noni Madueke - B

Brought on for Eze and half-time and immediately added some impetus, although he was booked very early on.

He grabbed the all-important goal, via a massive deflection, mainly coming from attacking purpose which no one else seemed to have.

Jurrien Timber - B-

Added a bit of attacking impetus down the right hand side and cut the ball back, after a good interchange of passes, for Rice, but he could not keep his shot down.

Mikel Merino - C

Did not do a lot in his time on the pitch.

Viktor Gyokeres - B-

Had a couple of runs in behind the Forest defence after Arsenal eventually opened the scoring that came to nothing, as the game opened up a bit for him. Did not have much in the way of the ball otherwise.