Awoniyi equals 28-year record with goal against Arsenal

Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi equalled a 28-year-old record set by former England international Stan Collymore after netting a late goal for Nottingham Forest in their 2-1 Premier League loss to Nottingham Forest.

The Nigerian striker ended the previous Premier League season in superb form, scoring in four consecutive matches at the end of the season, and began the 2023/24 campaign in a similar fashion against Arsenal.

Despite not getting the nod to start the game, the self-confessed Arsenal fan needed only 10 minutes on the pitch to score a second goal against his beloved Gunners to set up a nervy final few minutes in the Premier League’s early kick-off.

The striker was on the end of a blistering counter-attack for Nottingham Forest and bullied his way to the near post to poke home from Anthony Elanga’s cross to score the first of hopefully many goals this season.

With his goal against Arsenal, Awoniyi continued his superb scoring streak in the Premier League, making it five straight games in which he scored at least one goal dating back to Nottingham Forest’s win over Southampton last season.

This streak brings Awoniyi into Nottingham Forest’s history books, as he becomes the first player since Collymore in 1995 to score in five consecutive games for the Tricky Trees.

Awoniyi was Nottingham Forest’s top scorer last season after scoring 10 Premier League goals in only 17 starts and will hope that he can improve on that tally with enough game time this season.