Nottingham Forest suffered a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in what proved to be a baptism of fire for new head coach Ange Postecoglou. The match turned largely one-sided after Murillo limped off in the 37th minute, with the Gunners controlling the game comfortably.
Despite the loss, Elliot Anderson praised Postecoglou for the message he sent to his players, suggesting better days could lie ahead for Forest. The Australian coach has hinted at changes for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Swansea, leaving fans eager to see his team selection.
After the defeat, Gary Lineker shared his thoughts on the match, suggesting Postecoglou may have missed an opportunity by starting his Forest tenure against such a tough opponent. On The Rest is Football podcast, he said:
“I wonder if Ange Postecoglou missed a trick. You know that new-manager thing where they watch the first game from the stands? Arsenal away is a tough debut, especially with only one day of training with the squad. It’s hard to judge him on this match.”
Lineker also noted Murillo’s injury as a setback, praising his strong early performance.
Forest now face Swansea in the Carabao Cup, where a win is expected given the talent on the bench in recent matches. Postecoglou is likely to make changes ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Burnley, marking a crucial week for the Reds.
With some fans initially sceptical of his appointment, Postecoglou will be keen to get the team firing and unify the fanbase. Lineker’s comments highlight that while the Arsenal defeat was tough, taking charge immediately may reflect Postecoglou’s intent to be hands-on and decisive at the club.
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