Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo appeared to take a subtle jab at Arsenal following his team’s hard-fought goalless draw against the Gunners last night.
The match was crucial for both sides, as they aimed to keep pace with league leaders Liverpool. For Arsenal, it was seen as a must-win game to stay in the title race.
However, Forest, despite their recent struggles, were resolute in denying the Gunners a victory, resulting in a stalemate that left Arsenal’s title hopes in serious jeopardy.
One of the standout tactical moves from Forest was their decision to switch from their usual back-five formation to a back-four, a change that caught many by surprise.
When questioned about the formation shift after the game, Espirito Santo seemed to take a veiled dig at Arsenal’s attacking setup, or lack thereof.
As quoted by The Daily Mail, Espirito Santo explained his reasoning:
“I’ll tell you. As Arsenal doesn’t have a striker, with [Mikel] Merino playing in that position – there’s no need for an extra body.
“The overload will be in the midfield and it’s about containing the midfield.”
Espirito Santo’s remarks suggest that Arsenal’s lack of a recognized striker diminished their attacking threat, making it less necessary for Forest to deploy an extra defender.
He implied that Arsenal’s unconventional setup, with Merino operating in a forward role, didn’t pose the same level of danger as a traditional striker would. Instead, Forest focused on dominating the midfield battle to neutralize the Gunners’ approach.
Without a clear focal point in attack, Arsenal’s offensive play may not strike fear into opponents as it once did. Espirito Santo’s comments underscore the ongoing challenges Arsenal face in their forward line and the difficulties they encounter in sustaining a serious title challenge.
Forest’s tactical adjustment to prioritize midfield containment proved effective, highlighting Arsenal’s struggles and raising questions about their ability to maintain a consistent threat in the final third.
