Other than seeing Liverpool drop three points last week, there’s another reason my heart felt glad to see Nottingham Forest defeat the Merseysiders. I confess that as a teenager I loved watching the late 1970s version of Forest in the weekly highlights package presented on Star Soccer, the weekly show that ran on ATV in the UK, and Stateside on PBS. The PBS program’s Midlands focus gave viewers few opportunities to see Arsenal, but given the prominence of Forest at the time I was dazzled to see the exploits of Viv Anderson running up and down the wing, and John Robertson sending in tantalising crosses from the other side.
Despite my historical soft spot for Forest, I assure you my loyalties will lie 100% with Arsenal this week, even if we deny Forest the three points they need to avoid relegation at season’s end. But having defeated Liverpool last week, Forest will be brimming with confidence at a moment, while Arsenal’s is dipping after they dropped points at St. Mary’s for the first time since their visit to Old Trafford on the 4th of September, and then offered such a poor Europa League display in midweek. Forest’s combative captain, midfielder Ryan Yates, the only player who remains in the team that defeated Arsenal in January’s F.A. Cup tie, was optimistic when questioned about his team’s chances: “We’ll be underdogs again at the Emirates on Sunday but inside the dressing room we feel we’re more than a match for them.”
The Opposition
Forest last competed in the top flight in 1998-99 when they finished rock bottom, and the last time Arsenal hosted Forest in league play was at Highbury in August 1998 when Arsenal were 2-1 winners with goals by Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars. After a 22-year sabbatical, Forest were promoted to the Premier League in May despite last season’s poor start that left them bottom of the Championship after seven games. In September 2021, Forest sacked Chris Hughton and hired Steve Cooper who proceeded to lead them to promotion via the play-offs. Cooper was well backed in the transfer market, as the club spent more than £150m on no fewer than 23 players including striker Taiwo Awoniyi from Union Berlin, defender Neco Williams from Liverpool, and Jesse Lingard plus loanee goalkeeper Dean Henderson from Manchester United. Forest lost two key figures from their promotion winning side, both of whom helped knock Arsenal out of the FA Cup, when the loan deals of midfielder James Garner and fullback Djed Spence came to an end.
Forest’s strategy of such high player turnover in a single transfer window was a very risky way for a Premier League club, and a newly promoted one at that, to build their squad, so their poor start this season could probably have been expected. A month ago speculation was rampant that Cooper’s job could be in jeopardy, but rather than sacking him the club backed him with an extended deal. In early October, when Forest had won only four points after the first eight matches, Cooper was offered a new contract through 2025. As The Guardian reported, the renewal of Cooper’s deal after five straight defeats represented “a significant vote of confidence for the under-pressure manager from the owner, Evangelos Marinakis who had strongly considered sacking Cooper” after their 4-0 loss at Leicester. Prior to defeating Liverpool, Forest had earned only two of nine points on offer in a home draw with Aston Villa, an away loss to Wolves, and an away draw with Brighton. But last week Forest remained steadfast at the back and came away with a famous 1-0 victory with a goal by the industrious Awoniyi despite conceding 75% of the possession.
The Arsenal
The challenge for Mikel Arteta is to figure out how to freshen the team whose second half performance at Southampton was tired and leggy; and whose second half at PSV was generally not at the races. In his Southampton post-match press conference Arteta said “The distances on the ball positions were too far, we gave too many simple balls away in very dangerous areas without much pressure and that didn’t allow us much continuity like we had in the first half.” Thomas Partey dominated the midfield in that first half at Southampton but he wasn’t able to approach that level as the game wore on. Gabriel Jesús worked tirelessly but missed one or two key scoring opportunities, and looked nearly as tired as Partey. Arteta rested both players at PSV but used them in the second half to try to save the game, which they couldn’t. It is now imperative for Arsenal to get back to winning ways against Forest so both of those key players should start. Jesús in particular, needs the chance to boost his confidence by ripping one or two balls into the Forest net, and lifting the team with a big performance in front of the home fans.
Fixture congestion is starting to be a concern with the team already looking knackered and Mikel Arteta having played such a strong team in midweek, but it’s important to get the team playing well again from now through the World Cup break and I expect the gaffer to select his big players again, with the possible exception of Reiss Nelson giving Gabriel Martinelli a rest on the left wing.
Ramsdale
White Saliba Gabriel Tierney
Thomas
Ødegaard Xhaka
Saka Jesús Nelson
The ‘holic pound
At this stage of the season, with the wind suddenly blowing in our faces, the mantra must be “Any win will do” which it definitely would. For that reason I am going for a scruffy 1-0 to The Arsenal with Gabriel Jesús scoring late. My apologies for serving up such a nervous-making scenario but I can’t be much more optimistic having just watched the second half at Eindhoven.
Enjoy the game, ‘holics. Those who are attending the game give our boys the backing it looks like they can use at the moment.
First?
Cheers bt8! Excellent preview. I remember Forest was my classmate favorite team in the late ’70s. He even have a plastic button soccer team with pictures and names on top but my Ujpesti Dozsa always beat them 🙂
We need a win and honestly, any win will do. We can not give a half to Forest to come back because they will so we need to find something extra in the bag.
COYG!
Thanks bt8
It would be good to have Petit in the side for this game – what a player for the Arse he was.
As for the game itself, there can be no nervousness. Forest are a bottom of the table side and we must give them a spanking to get back to winning ways. Nothing less than 4-0 is acceptable to show Mr Nobody that they are a match only in the dressing room and not on the park.
UTA.
A fine preview bt8. I remember sitting in my student halls room in 1979 cheering on Clough’s team on a black and white portable tv. I think this is our first big test of the season, can we bounce back after a disappointing week? I watched the Forest/Liverpool game and one thing that struck me was how wide open Forest were from set pieces. I fancy us to get a couple from corners tomorrow.
Any other ‘holic’s going? I’m aware of CER, 21CG and Bathgooner.
I should have added that I was cheering on Forest in the European Cup Final.
Just chipping in a few words or 2 or 3 from the colonies. I am not adverse to a banner…but can’t recall if anything was put up about Russia last time out , considering what they’ve done and more so what they are doing…. There seems little said about the PRC and its treatment of non-Han people or the Saudis with their penchant for beheading people who won’t “tow the line”…..there’s a lot of bad happening everywhere…but the EPL forgives much
In my pre-retirement life I visited Qatar off and on, seeking to get their excellent airline to fly to Adelaide and they eventually came…5 star hotels shields you from what is going on in construction…in many respects the same happens all over…including the UAE but best not go there…my only “difficulty” was in whatever major US branded hotel I was staying getting refused a proper drink (yes you can buy it there) when the SA state government Minister rocked up in a sloppy t-shirt, daggy Levi jeans and thongs (flip flops to you over there) and he was deemed inappropriately dressed….showing my true colours here but the Socialists are back in power in Sarf Ostraya…..FFS
By the way after 50 years Downunder, I will be watching & notwithstanding the presence of Bukayo & hopefully Benny Blanco….i am full on Green & Gold…How can I support England when Harriet is the Cpt…when he gives it away, I expect he will try the Olympics and High Board diving…he’s so far ahead of the game already.
MMTWP good to see you here and a thoughtful contribution.
Hi C100
TKU
Confession time…..aka Malcolm…so an occasional scribe but mostly an observer of a great Blog…MMTWP…(time for a dodgy pen-name) always living in the past…MMTWP = Mal Mal The Workers PAL, awarded to me years back, part in jest and part as some minor recognition of my management style back in the 80s/90s…tough aviation Transport guys…i was the boss, then my employer sent me to Tahiti….lordy life was hard
So back to more important stuff…we seem to be in a bit of a rut…if i had the solution I wouldn’t be retired, i’d be trying to be Arteta…but isn’t he doing a great job…more power to him….Having been indoctrinated at birth in N19 IN 1950, I’m used to the highs & lows as we all are…i know i’m not Robinson Crusoe…MA is a good operator and having always welcomed his arrival after UE (Good Ebening)..i can’s speak Spanish or Basque, so i forgive him…i retain the faith…hopefully its just a blip and the Kroenkes (i’m slowly coming round) will open the wallet
COYG
Cheers mate. Interesting stuff. I bet you have some stories to tell. Thanks for your kind words about the blog. A drink of your choice is on the bar, though we don’t sell that liquid nitrogen temperature Aussie beer.
Salut C100
How i long for a decent pint of cellar temperature Masterbrew or London Pride (my local sells it (but chilled)…when i first arrived 1973, you went to the pub…and had beer…no choice..back then Swan Draught in Perth…105 deg F (outside) so you just chucked it down….hangover only lasted 2 days..wretched stuff and hasn’t really improved, though new sprung brewers now produce wonders….
Its now 2245 Sat in Adelaide…a distant quarter for many of you up there…but a nice bottle of Croser Sparkling Pinot Noir (highly recommended) and at $15.99 AUD…what more can you say….followed by 2 glasses (max??) Willow Bridge(WA) 2020 Shiraz to supplement my Wensleydale Cheese (from Yorks…as is good and proper)
I will sleep tight and hopefully all Hoiics do the same (later) in calm assurance….fingers and all necessary bits crossed for Sun…i couldn’t bear it if Nottm F got anything…the only plus side would be that a “tradie” who keeps promising to come and do some jobs for me (he’s from Nttm) might drop the exorbitant price he usually quotes. By the bye he was so impressed that i didn’t call his has beens, Notts Forest… Crikey bloke…i know stuff…i support ARSENAL
Happy days ahead…keep the faith…COYG
Welcome MMTWP. Thanks for the kind words about the blog. There’s a pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord on the bar for you in the morning – it knocks spots off London Pride IMHO. I do like the thought of your modest nightcap(s) though!
Welcome MMTWP in your latest incarnation. Some fine tales. A drop of the finest claret on the bar for you.
You make a fair point in highlighting that Qatar is far from the only guilty party in the world today. Even our own club should be looking at itself given some of our sponsors — Rwanda, the UAE’s Emirates airline and Cadbury’s (deforestation and child labour in cocoa production). I don’t object at all to TTG’s initiative, but I hope we do it as thoughtfully as we did with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when Bath redirected the ‘holics pound to the Ukranian cause.
bt8: Excellent and informative preview, as ever. Any win will do, but a big one would be better.
An excellent preview bt8 and I love the image of EP17 who covered every blade of grass at Highbury in the mid to late 90’s. Loved the fella and his delicate left footed dink over opposition defences for Anelka or Overmars to run onto. Great days!
This match is a real test of our project. Can we arrest the impression of a team that’s slowly running out of steam like that new electric car that you’ve bought and expected to take you from Bath to London and back (not me!). Can we rebound from our second defeat of this season as well as we did after the first defeat of this season?
We need a brisk early start and to take those early opportunities to score at least twice to carry us through that second half lactic acidosis.
COYG
Great preview Bt8 and excellent insights by Malcolm and Ned . We are taking great care to produce something that is proportionate, fair and eye catching . There are human rights abuses in many places but this is as much a protest at the ethics (?) of FIFA as much as the situation in Qatar
The huge disruption caused by this competition with its timing and host have massively diluted the appetite for the competition in this country . I suspect our initiative will resonate with many fans in this country
Bt8 – I think your prediction re the score will be very close to the mark
Cheers bt8, a fine preview, Sir !
As I write, Spuds and Chavs are both down to Bournemouth and Brighton respectively. Well, I hope disrespectively (sic)
Good to see you Mal, the Holic’s pal 👍🏻👍🏻
3-1, with a quick start off the blocks.
Cheers bt8. Your scenario would make me a bit nervous, but as long as there’s three points for us at the end….
First match in nearly a month and last one for the year, strange season so far for personal schedules.
Keenly observed and perfectly analyzed preview Bt8. For your starting eleven choice I think Martinelli is still likelier to start before Reiss, even though you are absolutely right that ideally speaking a bit of rotation can help freshen things up. But Gabi is such a key player now I am afraid until ESR is back up and running just like Saka Gabi too will have to play through fatigue. I would of course be delighted if Reiss gets a chance and lives up to his genuine talent.
Maybe Saliba gets a break, White goes back to the right side of Gabriel and Tomiyasu back to his favorite position?
Start at high tempo, take the chances, score a couple of early goals, then control the pace of the match. 🙂
Come on Arsenal!
As we are discussing the various troubling current affairs in different parts of the world in the context of the abominably anomalous 2022 World Cup — succinctly put MMTWP and NBN — I would like to take this opportunity to make a donation request to a cause to which many of the writers of this blog already have contributed.
If you would like to contribute to the various humanitarian efforts by us in Rotary Club Lviv International, especially to help the internally displaced population as what would be a difficult winter approaching, please use this PayPal ID: 911helpukraine@gmail.com . You can follow this project at https://www.facebook.com/911HelpUA/ .
Thank you for your considerations. Apologies for deviation from the Arsenal matters.
A fine cause which I very much support Dr F.
Despite the Chavs and Dippers stumbling we have three opponents breathing down our necks. No mistakes tomorrow, please. This is yet another must win!
Focus! Incision! Ruthlessness!
Go win, Arsenal.
Thank you Countryman @ 19.
Bath @20: maybe Mikel will make them watch last season’s embarrassing defeat in FA cup at Forest… 🙂
On the fatigue question, is MA driving the squad too hard in training? When Jesus reportedly says he can’t keep up with the likes of Saka and Martinelli, I do wonder. We repeatedly read of MA wanting the players to be committed in training to show that they deserve game minutes. Fans think that games are the be-all and end-all of a footballer’s life, but players spend more time training than in matches. Perhaps game rotation is not the main factor that we should be thinking about when we worry about the team running out of steam.
Cheers MMTWP / Malcolm, it’s great to hear from you!!
Train running fine so far today. Three points please.
Right. Breakfast done. Off to the Emirates in next half hour.
Cheers bt8!
But if Nelson starts over Martinelli I fully expect the ArtetaOut Hash Tag up and running by kick off!
Heh but true at Esso. Just pulling into St Pancras. We’ll we’re stopping just outside the station already four minutes late. Ok it’s not too bad….
Sorry but would like to see KT at left back meself.
Good first twenty, nice header Gabi, hope we get a 2nd.
2nd 20 odd minutes hasn’t gone so well, lost Saka, hopefully that is not too bad, and also
haven’t created much although having plenty of possession. Forest have shown very little ambition but Gabriel just gave them a good chance with an odd ball in our box.
Still we are winning 1-0 at the half
Perfect start to the second half 2-0 Nelson!
Hahaha, he liked it so much he did it again!
Reiss Nelson!
Partey special for 4-0, looking suddenly full of confidence, and almost 5-0 but Jesus was denied for the third time. Actually, be good if Jesus can find a goal for himself this game.
Martinelli and Tomi off early for a rest. Vieira and Cedric (not KT?) on instead.
bt8 I take it all back mate.
Reiss Nelson – HE THE MAN!
Great win in the end, a satisfying 5-0 built on the first 20 minutes of each half.
Fingers crossed on Saka and on to the Zurich game we go.
Only two downsides today. Jesus not actually getting on the score sheet (still had a storming game though). And Saka getting kicked out of it in minute 1.
WITH NO REACTION FROM THE SO CALLED REFEREE WHAT SO FUCKING EVER.
Huge gulf in class between the two sides today. Cooper has more than a season’s work in turning some passable talents into a Premiership side, and that will occur back in the Championship on today’s performance.
Fingers crossed for Saka. It is remarkable that he hasn’t had to limp off before, given how much he gets hacked. As Esso notes, he got banjaxed in minute one by the first tackle of the game.
Bonus point today was the clean sheet. First at home in the league.
Jesus can’t buy a goal at the moment, much like Laca last season, except that Jesus contributes so much more to the team overall. Two more assists for him today.
Well that was a lot of fun!
A fine day out.
As so often recently we started at 100mph after the first minute reducer on Saka which didn’t prevent him assisting Martinelli’s diving header but clearly had him limping and when he hit a volley in the box it clearly hurt him. My only criticism on the day is how long it took to replace him. He limped on for at least 15-20 minutes longer than necessary. I will be amazed if he is fit for the bus stop.
We were imperious for 15-20 minutes but then let them back into the game and gave them some hope for the last ten minutes. After some Keystone Cop defending reminiscent of a few years ago a superb diving block in the box by Ben White at 1-0 let us take that lead into the break.
The second half was exquisite. Like Esso I am disappointed that Jesús didn’t get at least one goal that his performance deserved but his contribution was nonetheless huge and his workrate at both ends of the pitch is extraordinary. Ødegaard faded late in the first half but was masterful in the second and along with the imperious Partey ran the show. Nelson looked lively when he replaced Saka and deserved his two goals and Partey’s piledriver into the top right corner was a glorious sight to behold. No-one in the opposition team was near the quality of our lads though when he came on, Vieira looked lightweight and off the pace and but for a couple of brief moments of nifty footwork would have fitted better in the Forest team. He has a lot of gym work in store if he’s going to compete at this level but he has time on his side.
If Nelson can maintain today’s form, we may not need to add another winger in January and we have laid the ghost of ‘running out of steam’ for another week.
I was delighted to watch the game with CER and his friends .,Delightful company for what turned out to be a delightful performance . Very strong second-half display and lots to enjoy .
Many thanks CER !
I think we are pretty well agreed that the people who run football are occasionally idiotic . Two things come to mind today . Firstly from minute one Saka was fouled heavily by the Forest left back. The estimable CER immediately pointed out that the referee needed to draw a line in the sand and book him, even that early, or risk serious injury to Saka . Surprise, surprise Saka gets taken off limping halfway through the first half having been fouled three times ( no yellow cards given) . Hopefully it won’t be serious but there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth if he were to miss the World Cup . If he did / does it would be the fault of whoever sets refereeing standards in the Premier League . ( Simon Hooper is from Swindon and had a much better game than a lot, of refs I have seen. But tell that to Bukayo .
The other stupid idea is not to blow for offsides until the item of play has ended . I’m particularly thinking about offsides . Fully committed players clattering into each other for no reason is ridiculous and dangerous. Apparently Fabianski had to be subbed today after an offside flag did not materialise .
Today was the first day I can remember since it was introduced where there was no VAR hold-up after any of the goals . A blessed release
STILL buzzing!
As Bath says…still buzzing…after deciding to fold the tent here at midnight, still 1330 Uk time, it was a great way to enjoy my porridge this morning (Sarf Ostraya time) watching the replay (score unknown)..Agree 100% with TTG regarding the systematic fouling on Saka (happens most matches). If it had been Xhaka it would have been his name in the book straight off, referee dependant…though overall i agree S. Hooper reffed the game pretty well…such a nice change. The off-side, late flags are ridiculous…IMO too…anyway Happy Days
COYG
Arse women keep ball rolling 👍🏼
https://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-women-vs-west-ham-women/report/473926
Arteta post-match, speaking about Reiss Nelson:
“I think not only me but all his team-mates, all the staff are so happy for him because he is a kid that is really changing, he’s really evolving, he’s really maturing,” said Arteta.
“He’s showing every day how much he wants it and today he had the opportunity and he did extremely well because it helped us win the game.”
Asked how Nelson has changed, Arteta added: “How mature he is, how focused he is in his profession.
“The way he talks, the way he reflects, the way he respects decisions, the way he is challenging everybody every single day.
“He is a joy of a kid. We all want him to be successful and do well. What he has done today for the team is something he really merits.”
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
What a day for him, and wishing him many more.
Re: Esso @35
It’s all about reading the tea leaves, or in this case Dr. Faustus’ match preview last week predicting that Reiss would start, and then TTG confirming it in the drinks. Just because it didn’t come to pass last week I didn’t figure there wasn’t some significance to it. That TTG in particular, I think he’s privy to inside information. 😉🤣
Being on the road in the land of mezcal, I still haven’t seen the game and won’t be able to see it until Thursday, but that 5-0 score makes me feel as if if been taking a few shots of mezcal, which I actually haven’t. Yet. 🤓
Never one to turn down an opportunity, shoots at the open goal …
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>