Awoniyi's Goal Against Arsenal Most Important In Nottingham Forest History

Awoniyi's Goal Against Arsenal Most Important In Nottingham Forest History

Ibraheem Lateef

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi has earned a cult-hero status himself after he helped Nottingham Forest put their relegation fears to bed after beating Arsenal 1-0 at the City Ground to the delight of the home crowd on Saturday evening, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

Awoniyi’s goal ensured Forest retained their Premier League status with a game to spare as they beat Arsenal 1-0.

With Everton drawing earlier in the day, the hosts knew a win would see them safe. And they got off to the perfect start, taking the lead with 19 minutes gone.

The Nigerian who joined Forest from German Bundesliga side Union Berlin for a club-record fee of £17million, sparked amazing celebratory scenes with his historic goal, which also deprived Aaron Ramsdale of a record.

The Arsenal keeper was after an 11th Premier League clean sheet away from home a feat only achieved before by Petr Cech (2004-05) and Ederson (2018-19).

The Arsenal No.1 will now have to wait to challenge for the record until next season as their last game of the season is at home to Wolves next Sunday.

Awoniyi has now scored five goals in his last three games and joins an elite Forest class of goalscorers to have scored in three successive league games. Only Dougie Freedman has achieved that feat before for the club – but perhaps this crucial strike by the Nigerian will go down as one of the most important in the club's history.

With a victory against Arsenal, Forest will see out back-to-back seasons in the top flight for the first time since 1997.