# Arsenal’s depth over creativity

> Arsenal’s uneventful win highlights squad depth, not creative flair.
- Title: Arsenal’s depth over creativity · the Guardian | Shortify
- Summary: Arsenal’s uneventful win highlights squad depth, not creative flair. Arsenal’s consistent performance against Nottingham Forest shows their squad depth, not…
- Keywords: arsenal, nottingham forest, mikel arteta, bukayo saka, noni madueke, premier league, creativity coach, sports, depth, creativity, the Guardian
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/18/arsenal-strength-in-depth-nottingham-forest-premier-league
- Published: 2026-10-18T19:20:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: arsenal, nottingham forest, mikel arteta, bukayo saka, noni madueke, premier league, creativity coach, sports
## Arsenal’s uneventful win
Arsenal won their second consecutive match without scoring, using bench players to secure victory against Nottingham Forest.
## Saka’s consistent but faded form
Bukayo Saka, once an exhilarating player, now plays consistently without the explosive creativity he showed at 21.
## Forest’s risk-averse approach
Nottingham Forest played cautiously, allowing Arsenal to dominate the game with minimal risk.
## Madueke breaks resistance
Noni Madueke provided the only shot on target after a deflection off Jair Cunha’s thigh.
## Arteta’s creativity coach
Mikel Arteta employs Germán Castaños, a creativity coach who uses unusual scenarios to stimulate innovative play.
## Substitutions shift momentum
Jurriën Timber, Mikel Merino, and Viktor Gyökeres’ arrivals gave Arsenal the edge Forest couldn’t match.
## Arsenal’s strength in depth
Arsenal’s consistent performance shows their squad depth, not creative flair, in the Premier League.
## Key takeaway

Arsenal’s consistent performance against Nottingham Forest shows their squad depth, not creative ability.