Super Eagles defender Ola Aina played no part in Nottingham Forest's 1-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, spending the entire match on the bench as the Gunners climbed to second place in the table.

Aina has made five appearances for Forest this season, picking up three yellow cards across those outings — but he was absent from the action at the City Ground as his side suffered a narrow loss.

Forest's defensive resolve undone late

For long stretches of the match, Nottingham Forest were more than a match for their visitors. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo's disciplined 3-4-2-1 shape kept Arsenal at arm's length in the first half, with Kai Havertz's header from a Declan Rice delivery the closest the Gunners came to breaking the deadlock before the interval.

Arsenal's persistence eventually told, however, when manager Mikel Arteta turned to his bench. The introduction of Noni Madueke proved to be the decisive moment — in the 80th minute, the winger received a pass from Rice, cut inside, and curled a finish beyond goalkeeper Matz Sels to hand Arsenal all three points.

Forest's late attempts to find an equaliser were firmly repelled by a composed Arsenal backline, leaving the hosts empty-handed.

Arsenal move into second place

The victory lifts Arsenal into second place in the Premier League standings, three points behind leaders Manchester City. For Nottingham Forest, the result is a reminder of how tight the margins are at the top end of the division — and Aina will be hoping to force his way back into the starting eleven as Forest look to recover.