The Nigerian international needed only ten minutes on the pitch to show off his elite goal-scoring skills against the Gunners
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has equalled a 28-year goal record at Nottingham Forest after finding the back of the net against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Soccernet.ng reports.
Arsenal claimed a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest in their Premier League opener in an early kickoff in front of nearly 60,000 fans.
After struggling with a knock all week, Awoniyi only started among the substitutes and watched from the bench as Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka handed the home side the lead.
Awoniyi, who turned 26 today, was introduced in the 71st minute for Brazil’s Danilo.
Eleven minutes later, the Super Eagles striker raced hard to get on the end of a fine Anthony Elanga cross and steer past Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Two subs combine⚡️
Lightning Anthony Elanga down the left gets into the box and crosses low for Taiwo Awoniyi to tap home.
pic.twitter.com/EK9jZAHcgZ— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) August 12, 2023
With the goal, Awoniyi becomes only the second Nottingham Forest player to score in five consecutive Premier League appearances since Stan Collymore did the same 28 years ago.
The former Union Berlin forward has now scored seven goals in his last five Premier League games.
Awoniyi kicked off that excellent run with a brace each against Chelsea and Southampton in May. He then netted the goal that ended Arsenal’s league title hopes before scoring in the 1-1 draw versus Crystal Palace on the last day of the campaign.
Awoniyi managed 21 goals in 64 Bundesliga games, but the former Mainz ace has raced to 11 goals in only 28 Premier League matches.
The former Liverpool signing will look to return to Nottingham Forest’s starting lineup when they host Sheffield United at The City Ground (Nottingham, Nottinghamshire) next weekend.