Slim Jim
First Team Squad
That was a long way away from last seasons capitulation - really promising.
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Official Matchday thread: 01. Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest . Saturday 12th August. Kick off 12:30pm.
- Thread starter Dan_Bristol
- Start date
isaacs
Viv Anderson
Compared to last season, i'm proud of how the lads reacted in the 2nd half. Last year we sank like the titanic in similar situations.
Thought Coops gameplan was the right one, of course it means playing deep but given the opposition it was the only call to make. Two moments won that game for Arsenal, we forced them from side to side just like in May for the majority of that half, the problem was we weren't good enough when we did get our moments to unleash a counter. Thought we looked tired and a bit disinterested until Elanga, Neco and Big T came on. We had Arsenal throwing defenders on and running to the corner in the 85th minute, if you had offered me that yesterday i would have snapped your arm off.
A few more signings, CB and DM in particular, alongside a fully fit 11 (a miracle i know) that includes Taiwo, Felipe and Niakhate and i think we'll be fine.
Thought Coops gameplan was the right one, of course it means playing deep but given the opposition it was the only call to make. Two moments won that game for Arsenal, we forced them from side to side just like in May for the majority of that half, the problem was we weren't good enough when we did get our moments to unleash a counter. Thought we looked tired and a bit disinterested until Elanga, Neco and Big T came on. We had Arsenal throwing defenders on and running to the corner in the 85th minute, if you had offered me that yesterday i would have snapped your arm off.
A few more signings, CB and DM in particular, alongside a fully fit 11 (a miracle i know) that includes Taiwo, Felipe and Niakhate and i think we'll be fine.
Green Jumper
"Nottingham Forest Are Premier League"
Once Martinelli and Saka got the ball, I doubt many defences could have stopped them.
Forest competing at that level will take a minimum of a decade of PL money and investment.
We're about moving in the right direction by surviving and progressing if possible.
A 2-1 defeat is better than most of our direct competition will manage at Arsenal this season.
Forest competing at that level will take a minimum of a decade of PL money and investment.
We're about moving in the right direction by surviving and progressing if possible.
A 2-1 defeat is better than most of our direct competition will manage at Arsenal this season.
Cortez the Killer
Impressive member
Steve B
Jack Armstrong
Annesleyred
Youth Team
Better than last seasons result down there , so I reckon we will do better all season Awoniyi is on fire
adam09
Super Koopa
88 league goals last season with Saka, Martinelli and Odegard scoring or assisting 43 of them.
We were unfortunate with the deflection and the second was a great strike.
We've got a solid core and foundation. I really hope we can add the next level of quality at CB/CM somehow.
Wes' Organ
Biggles
Sorry love! Your quote was used to bash him but I didn't go back to check context.
MC Plantpot
First Team Squad
Good effort lads. Lots to be positive about.
Bob Fossil
Nottingham's dirty secret
Turner was great today & Hendo wouldn't have saved either goals.
One took a deflection & the other was sheer brilliance.
Great distribution-particularly with his throws.
I'm very, very happy with him on that showing.
Loughborough_red
Jack Armstrong
Thought Turner looked very accomplished today (Nketiah closing him down a side). If he is out first choice this season then I have no complaints based upon this evidence.
Also thought McKenna had a decent game.
Also thought McKenna had a decent game.
Steve B
Jack Armstrong
Not sure if it’s just me but just been thinking there was something a bit different about Taiwo today. We all know he was good and strong at end of last season, but today he was terrifying - he absolutely battered Arsenal they couldn’t deal with him.
BryanRoy22
Ian Bowyer
Their whole team was terrified. Awoniyi changed the game. Huge, huge player.
Aussie Forest
First Team Squad
Great attitude by the lads. Could’ve gone either way. Game could’ve been totally different if Johnno had finished it, but shit happens. I take more out of seeing the set up of the play.
Lboro tree
First Team Squad
Might have been inteesting if he was in the starting 11.
Finally on the M1 on the way back. Overall pleased with the performance, we looked so much better with TA and Elanga on the pitch, we desperately need to get them fully fit.
If we can get Johnson, Niakhate, Felipe all match fit we should be fine this season.
Bring on the Blunts!
If we can get Johnson, Niakhate, Felipe all match fit we should be fine this season.
Bring on the Blunts!
George cooney
Viv Anderson
Very quick off his line so in reality a little bit of a sweeper..
IJPS
Supporting NFFC since 1977
Probably won't even be in the relegation zone after first round of matches. 15th at the moment. 
Brannon probably did just enough to put Tottenham, Villa and Brentford off. Good lad!
Brannon probably did just enough to put Tottenham, Villa and Brentford off. Good lad!
I keep saying we need to find understudies for MGW and TA urgently. If we have to sacrifice BJ to do it, so be it.
Think it's a tactical not to play him today, one eye is on 3 points at Sheffield united
Baronvon
Jack Burkitt
A strange feeling to be pleased after a defeat, but I can't deny that I am.
Arsenal will compete for the title again and thrash many teams at home. The first half was a struggle, especially with two goals in the space of a few minutes and I'm sure we were all expecting Forest to capitulate. But they didn't...and by the end of the game it was Arsenal who were holding on.
A sign of genuine progress and that's exactly what we need to see. Especially impressive considering our injuries.
Don't get me wrong, we need points ultimately and our next game is one we'll be hoping to win but, given how we could easily be rock bottom right now a -5 goal difference, it feels rather promising to have given Arsenal a tricky game, only suffered a narrow defeat and got one of the most difficult games of the season out of the way with only minimal damage to our goal difference.
Arsenal will compete for the title again and thrash many teams at home. The first half was a struggle, especially with two goals in the space of a few minutes and I'm sure we were all expecting Forest to capitulate. But they didn't...and by the end of the game it was Arsenal who were holding on.
A sign of genuine progress and that's exactly what we need to see. Especially impressive considering our injuries.
Don't get me wrong, we need points ultimately and our next game is one we'll be hoping to win but, given how we could easily be rock bottom right now a -5 goal difference, it feels rather promising to have given Arsenal a tricky game, only suffered a narrow defeat and got one of the most difficult games of the season out of the way with only minimal damage to our goal difference.
DizzyBala
Jack Armstrong
Arsenal will beat better teams than us this season, they just beat City over penalties but we've not been embarrassed either this time.
Pleased for Elanga, Aina and Turner making their debuts and also, for Taiwo.
Pleased for Elanga, Aina and Turner making their debuts and also, for Taiwo.
Robert Learnshaw
COYR
Just got back, my take:
First half:
Thought we were fine, I find it tough to criticise too much considering who we're playing. I felt like they had a couple of proper chances and scored them whereas we didn't take ours through Brennan. I thought we passed well at time, i'm not sure if this is being a happy clapper but I was happy to clap them off at HT. I love Serge, but as a priority, i'd be looking at a LWB (i'm sure we are) and then stick Aina out RWB. Serge positionally I think is sometimes questionable, and I think going forward he doesn't offer enough in a 5. Great in a 4 though.
Second half:
Better, and could have nicked a draw. Again, thought we kept possession better and I felt we were always in the game at 2. Elanga, Turner and Aina great debuts, really happy with those 3. Mangala, Yates great in the middle. Taiwo looked a threat when he came on.
Other bits:
Fans fantastic, Emirates ok but rubbish fans again (feel like I say this every week in the PL, getting boring). I'm positive and looking forward to next week with Moussa and Taiwo back in, have to say i'd be disappointed with anything other than 3 points next week.
First half:
Thought we were fine, I find it tough to criticise too much considering who we're playing. I felt like they had a couple of proper chances and scored them whereas we didn't take ours through Brennan. I thought we passed well at time, i'm not sure if this is being a happy clapper but I was happy to clap them off at HT. I love Serge, but as a priority, i'd be looking at a LWB (i'm sure we are) and then stick Aina out RWB. Serge positionally I think is sometimes questionable, and I think going forward he doesn't offer enough in a 5. Great in a 4 though.
Second half:
Better, and could have nicked a draw. Again, thought we kept possession better and I felt we were always in the game at 2. Elanga, Turner and Aina great debuts, really happy with those 3. Mangala, Yates great in the middle. Taiwo looked a threat when he came on.
Other bits:
Fans fantastic, Emirates ok but rubbish fans again (feel like I say this every week in the PL, getting boring). I'm positive and looking forward to next week with Moussa and Taiwo back in, have to say i'd be disappointed with anything other than 3 points next week.