Nottingham Forest faced a tough outing in North London, falling to a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal. The match marked another setback for Forest, who were hoping to recover from their previous 3-1 loss to Newcastle United before the international break. Despite Mikel Arteta offering praise for Forest’s efforts, the game was largely one-sided, with Arsenal’s clinical display giving a strong indication of their title ambition.
The performance from Forest drew criticism from fans, particularly aimed at James Ward-Prowse, though the overall team performance left much to be desired. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo is expected to focus heavily on defensive improvements in training ahead of their home match against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Murillo’s Media Activity
In the aftermath of the Arsenal loss, Forest players reportedly adhered to an unwritten rule among professional clubs to avoid social media following defeats. However, Murillo broke the silence by posting on Instagram, sharing a montage of photos from the match with the caption: “We keep working.” Despite the disappointing result, Murillo remains a positive presence within the squad, and his attitude could help Forest bounce back.
Murillo’s Performance Analysis
Statistics from the game show that Murillo was among the better performers for Forest, ranking as the fourth-highest-rated player on the team and the second-best among those who played the full match. He completed 86.4% of his passes, had 58 touches, made five clearances, blocked four shots, and registered a tackle. While not his best performance, it was a solid effort amidst a challenging game for the Brazilian defender.
Coaching Concerns
Meanwhile, former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper, who had recently taken charge of Leicester City, has been sacked after just 12 matches in charge. Reports suggest the dismissal followed a training ground incident where Cooper reportedly banished Jannik Vestergaard from a session. This situation echoes his tenure at Forest, where he had a reported conflict with Joe Worrall, the then-club captain, which led to Worrall being sidelined.
Cooper’s short tenure at Leicester and his struggles in the Premier League have raised questions about his management style, despite his success in the EFL. Forest fans still appreciate his role in securing their promotion to the Premier League, though his recent track record highlights areas for improvement in his managerial approach.
Looking Ahead
Forest will be eager to return to winning ways against Ipswich Town. With players like Murillo maintaining a positive attitude and the team focusing on defensive drills in training, there is hope for a stronger performance in the next fixture.