Nottingham Forest endured a tough 3-0 defeat against Arsenal in their Premier League clash on Saturday. Arsenal were considered the favorites, but the result was a major setback for Forest and their manager, Nuno.
Arsenal dominated the game from start to finish, scoring their first goal just 15 minutes into the match and adding two more in the second half. The match also took a physical toll on Forest, with one of their key players, Anthony Elanga, sustaining an injury.
Elanga, a 22-year-old Swedish international and former Manchester United player, was substituted at half-time. According to Nuno, the winger was in significant pain and unable to continue after receiving treatment late in the first half. The extent of the injury remains uncertain as the club awaits scan results.
Despite the disappointment, Forest received positive news regarding the fitness of Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson ahead of their upcoming match against Ipswich Town. Nuno revealed that Gibbs-White, recovering from an ankle injury, and Anderson, dealing with a foot problem, could return for the match. Both players made considerable efforts to assist the team before the international break but were unavailable against Arsenal.
Forest’s performance against Arsenal drew criticism from pundits and fans alike. BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Pat Nevin pointed out that Forest midfielder James Ward-Prowse struggled against Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard. Nevin observed that Ødegaard had too much space and freedom, with Ward-Prowse failing to follow the Norwegian midfielder effectively. Ødegaard, recently returning from injury, played a key role in Arsenal’s victory, assisting the opening goal and forming a strong partnership with Bukayo Saka.
Ward-Prowse, on loan from West Ham United, was deployed as one of Forest’s holding midfielders but faced challenges in adapting to Arsenal’s pace. His performance contrasted sharply with his previous strong showing against Liverpool. While he completed 92.9% of his passes, made key defensive contributions, and delivered five crosses, he struggled defensively, losing possession multiple times and failing to close down Arsenal’s attackers effectively. Fans expressed dissatisfaction with Ward-Prowse’s display, criticizing his lack of impact outside of set pieces.
Forest will aim to bounce back in their next match against Ipswich Town, where they will look to capitalize on the potential returns of Gibbs-White and Anderson to bolster their squad.