ODETO A GENIUS

MARTIN ODEGAARD needed just three minutes to wave his magic wand.
One luscious swing of his left boot sent the ball swirling into Nottingham Forest's penalty box, Mikel Merino's header was scrambled off the line by the desperate Nicolas Dominguez and Jurrien Timber stabbed home.
VAR would later rain on Arsenal's parade, ruling the goal out for offside.
But the two weeks' worth of tension that has lingered since the 1-1 draw at Chelsea immediately lifted around the Emirates as the assertive start provided a clear injection of confidence.
The Gunners soon began to go through the gears, Bukayo Saka probed from the right, driving at nervous marker Alex Moreno, while Captain Marvel, Odegaard, was pulling the strings, finding glorious, fractional pockets of space in between the lines.
There was a late decision on Saka's fitness due to a niggling groin issue, but both he and Odegaard - starting his first home match since the 1-1 draw with Brighton in August - played the game at an entirely different speed to their peers at times.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In

MEET THE QUEEN BEE OF SKINCARE
As her bee venom range earns a coveted Royal Warrant, we sit down with celebrity facialist Deborah Mitchell to find out how she made it to Queen Camilla's inner circle

FLYIN' RYAN HITS SPOT
Yates keeps his cool to send in-form Forest to Wembley

MAD AT HATTERS
Dave slams stars after nervy victory

No Greal sign of City future
JACK GREALISH is not being given any guarantees about his future at Manchester City, says boss Pep Guardiola.
Happy Hatters get Matt in the mood
MATT BLOOMFIELD is encouraged that an identity is forming in his relegation-threatened Luton team after they secured back-to-back away victories.

He's Allen Brazil
TAYLOR'S FREE-KICK RESCUES STUTTERING LEADERS

IT'S WICKED
» Stage all set for an Aintree upset » Hanlon: It would be unreal to win, but we're there with a right shout

Start next season without a title to defend? Not on Pep's watch if he can help it
PEP GUARDIOLA said he and his team would not deserve a bonus even if they won the Club World Cup and prize money of around £100million.

Registering your wish still vital to help family respect your decision
JESS'S story is a powerful reminder of how organ donation not only transforms lives but can go on to help create new ones.

EMERY'S IN BRUSH FOR SUCCESS IN THE CUP
UNAI EMERY says he wants to get the decorators in at Aston Villa's plush training base.