Nottingham Forest suffered a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in Ange Postecoglou’s first match as manager. Murillo’s injury in the 37th minute seemed to tip the scales in Arsenal’s favor, with Martin Zubimendi scoring twice and Viktor Gyökeres adding another goal. Despite the loss, Postecoglou praised his players’ efforts and acknowledged the challenges of integrating new signings and tactics.
Postecoglou’s Take on the Defeat
- Disappointing Outcome: Postecoglou described the result as “disappointing” but appreciated his team’s effort, noting that Arsenal’s second goal allowed them to pull away.
- Challenges of Transition: He highlighted the difficulties of transitioning to a new team and style, emphasizing that it will take time to embed his ideas.
Upcoming Fixtures
- Carabao Cup Match: Forest faces Swansea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, with Postecoglou likely to make changes to his lineup.
- Premier League Match: The Reds will play against Burnley on Saturday, marking a crucial week for the team ¹.
Gary Lineker’s Verdict
- Tough Debut: Lineker questioned whether Postecoglou might have missed a trick by taking charge of the game against Arsenal with limited training time.
- Murillo’s Injury: He noted that Murillo’s injury was a significant blow to Forest, as the player had been brilliant in the opening period ².
