Arsenal's Premier League triumph depends on their strikers

 NOTTINGHAM — Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday highlighted the razor-thin margins on which the Premier League title battle will be won and lost. The Gunners are very poised to complete the January transfer season without the forward addition many hoped for at the start, a decision influenced heavily by financial restraints but also a sense that Arsenal's current options can bring them over the line.

Arsenal pursued cheaper alternatives a year ago when their top targets were priced out, but this time, with Brentford's Ivan Toney and Wolves' Pedro Neto deemed out of reach, manager Mikel Arteta has chosen to entrust his forwards with the task of overhauling Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the table.

Another factor influencing that decision is the possibility of an imperfect addition disrupting the current coherence. Arsenal's attacking tactics are well defined, and for extended stretches here, they probed with a familiar methodology, monopolising possession to the point where they had 81% possession in the opening half. However, that domination did not translate into a single shot on target, with the most dangerous moment coming two minutes before the break, when Murillo fortuitously diverted Bukayo Saka's close-range effort beyond of goalkeeper Matt Turner's right-hand post.

After hammering Crystal Palace 5-0 last time out, they were on the verge of resuming a dangerous trend that has resulted in one win in seven games since Christmas, prompting calls to strengthen the team. But Arteta's belief in his team and his manner were eventually rewarded.

Gabriel Jesus took advantage of Forest's little loss of focus, spinning in behind from Oleksandr Zinchenko's 65th-minute throw-in and finishing beyond Turner from close range. Seven minutes later, Gonzalo Montiel gave Arsenal the ball, and they broke quickly, with Saka collecting Jesus' brilliant pass to fire in a second. The fact that both goals came from a throw-in and a counter-attack, rather than the perfectly prepared path they had pursued all evening, demonstrates the agility they will require in the coming months.

"We had to be patient, we didn't allow them to run and we were able to generate chances in various ways which is pleasing," Arteta went on to say. "I think we showed a lot of maturity to control the game the way we had to."

Even before kickoff, the City Ground brought back memories of where a title chase might be won or lost. This was the location where Arsenal were mathematically defeated in last season's clash with City, and their return to the Midlands had players especially excited.

"What happened last year was still in our tummy," Arteta added. "We wanted to put things right. I could tell they were talking about it.

"Coming into that dressing room definitely reminds you. Our brains and bodies are quite sophisticated, and when confronted with a similar situation, they become very active. They were deeply invested and were constantly discussing it with one another. I think the team was quite good.

It didn't stop a late wobble, though, as Taiwo Awoniyi maintained his extraordinary record against Arsenal -- three goals in three games -- with an 89th-minute shot that demonstrated his strength and poise in the area. Awoniyi came on as a half-time substitute for Chris Wood, whose lack of pace allowed Arsenal to push so high up the pitch that Forest were hemmed in not only their own half, but nearly their own defensive third for lengthy periods of time.

The Nigerian forward, making his first club appearance since November 12, altered the home team's offensive dynamic and nearly stole an undeserved point in stoppage time.

It didn't stop a late wobble, though, as Taiwo Awoniyi maintained his extraordinary record against Arsenal -- three goals in three games -- with an 89th-minute shot that demonstrated his strength and poise in the area. Awoniyi came on as a half-time substitute for Chris Wood, whose lack of pace allowed Arsenal to push so high up the pitch that Forest were hemmed in not only their own half, but nearly their own defensive third for lengthy periods of time.

The Nigerian forward, making his first club appearance since November 12, altered the home team's offensive dynamic and nearly stole an undeserved point in stoppage time.

Emile Smith Rowe was given his second league start of the season to help Arsenal make the most of the available space, but it was Jesus who should have broken the deadlock, hitting a 57th-minute shot against the post from six yards out when it was easier to score. Jesus' link-up play was brilliant, and finishing the night with a goal and an assist was a reward for his tenacity, even if it was difficult to shake the idea that his carelessness could have been punished by a team with more quality and determination than Forest had.

Finally, Arteta feels differently, encouraged by Jesus' character to fight fluid in his knee and play 78 minutes here. "Gabi started to win the game two days ago," Arteta stated. "He was having knee problems, and everyone was trying to protect him by telling him not to go outside. But he was repeating [matchday] -2, [matchday] -1, and I want to be there to assist the team win the game. When you have that mentality, nice things will happen. I'm quite delighted with him.

The character Arteta craves expressed itself in another way, or so he said after the game, when the Spaniard was forced to engage in a dispute between Zinchenko and Ben White at full time, obviously incensed at the surrender of a goal that threatened three points that had before been safe.

"I love it," he replied. "They are demanding more from one another. They are dissatisfied with how they conceded and are simply attempting to address the situation. It became a bit heated. But that means it's sufficient. Playing the way we did, the outcome had to be better, and the clean sheet had to be present."

The disagreement was maybe a further acknowledgement of the delicate balance that a title race can be.