Arsenal scraped past Nottingham Forest 1-0 on Sunday, managing just one shot on target in a performance that left plenty to be desired. Mikel Arteta came out swinging after the match, blaming Forest's defensive setup for the sluggish display rather than his own team's execution.
The Gunners got the job done with a single goal, but the numbers told an uncomfortable story. One shot on target against a Forest side that set up defensively across the pitch means Arsenal's attack generated almost nothing of note. That's not a recipe for winning consistently at this level, even if three points came home.
Arteta's defense of the performance focused on Forest's "Christmas tree" formation, a 5-3-2 setup designed to compact the middle and force Arsenal wide. It's a legitimate tactical constraint, and Forest made it work. But the Arsenal manager's willingness to blame the opponent's shape rather than accept responsibility for not breaking it down suggests some frustration in the camp.
The win keeps Arsenal moving, and that's what counts at this stage. Still, performances like this in the Premier League invite trouble down the road. Arsenal can't win every game by a single goal while struggling to create chances.