One In The Eye For Forest

Arsenal remain top of the table following a comprehensive thrashing of bottom club Nottingham Forest (apologies for the Nelson-related pun in the title of this piece btw). Which on the face of it is great, and far from it for me to start this piece by being churlish, but...

Firstly, Nottingham Forest aren't very good. Granted, they beat Liverpool last week; but, let's face it, everyone beats Liverpool these days - they're in turmoil at the moment. But Forest are bottom for a reason. And a comfortable win should generally be par for the course for the league leaders against the bottom team.

So why not rotate? Yes, I know that Thursday's Europa League performance and result were disappointing - a third lethargic away game in a row, in fact - and that there was perhaps a need to boost confidence, but there are far bigger fish to fry next weekend. Going with a full strength side seemed OTT to me, with the risks perhaps outweighing the genuine need to do it.

Plus two key players went into the game on 4 yellow cards, thereby risking the possibility of missing out next weekend, in a game where Arsenal really do need to be at full strength. I'd rather not be risking being without one or both of Saliba and Jesus away to Chelsea if I can help it, thank you very much.

And then there was, of course, the risk of injury. And we saw Forest continue the Kick Saka theme adopted by so many of our opponents this season from the very first minute. An assault from which Starboy never fully recovered - nonetheless, despite being impeded by the effects of the first minute challenge throughout his short stay, he managed an exquisite assist for Martinelli in the interim. The initial news on Saka is positive, so let's hope he's OK for next weekend.

Gibbs-White and Yates were doing their very best to get under Xhaka's skin throughout too, with a number of unnecessarily rough challenges going unpunished. We really could do without this sort of thing.

But Forest were off the pace throughout. Thankfully, they could barely get close enough for most of the time, as apart from a 15 minute spell before half time Arsenal looked in complete control. But... it's really, really difficult for any squad to go through a season without some element of rotation. Especially with a squad that's barely big enough to fight on 4 fronts. So despite the result I genuinely feel that loading extra miles into all the important legs may turn out to be a mistake. I do hope not, but...

A few other points from the game. Firstly, Reiss Nelson cannot be accused of not taking his chance when it was presented to him. Two goals and an assist was a fine day's work. And kudos to the two Fantasy Premier League managers who captained him this week. I should ask them what Wednesday's lottery numbers are going to be, I reckon! What's important to see is how he fitted in to the system - seamlessly.

And here I can perhaps be seen to be arguing against myself. Thursday's performance, with a much-changed starting eleven, was not so much disjointed (Arsenal saw plenty of the ball), but lacking in cohesion and penetration. So changing one or two players is maybe enough; any more and perhaps there's too much of a price to pay. So in conclusion perhaps what's needed is an infusion of quantity as well as quality in January? As it happens, the ludicrous World Cup break may work in Arsenal's favour - despite what pundits and the media may have us believe. 

Secondly, we saw many top performances from Arsenal players all over the field. Ben White goes about his business quietly, yet added a typically high quality performance to his portfolio. WIlliam Saliba's pace snuffed out danger as and when it was required. Tomi was really solid. Xhaka hit his minimum 7.5 out of 10 with little fuss. But for me, apart from Nelson the two stars were Partey and Odegaard. Partey bestrode the midfield like a colossus, totally dominating the Forest midfield on his own. And his goal was a carbon copy of the one against Tottenham, and a thing of beauty. 

And Odegaard once more - and almost unnoticed at times - oiled the wheels of the Arsenal engine. And got the goal he deserved.

As for Gabriel Jesus... well, what he desperately needs is a goal. He could have walked away with the match ball with a modicum of luck, but had to settle for two assists (I'd have given him one for Nelson's first goal too, tbh). He continues to work really hard for the side, but a confidence-restoring goal would really help him, I'm sure.

I'd also like to show those who haven't seen it this image. Good luck to you, man. But such speculative bets are difficult to repeat. And £125 stakes = sheer raving lunacy! Still... impressive!

Anyway, easy win, what should be a simple task at home to Zurich on Thursday, and then Chelsea - who had been quietly accumulating points under Potter but got found out on Saturday and aren't, I suspect, as good as their league position would suggest. Arsenal have a decent recent record at Stamford Bridge, so we can be on the confident side of hopeful. We also received the good news that the hateful Diego Costa is banned for Wolves in our final match before the extended break, following his latest atrocity. Good; can't stand him - never could; never will.

Just a quick word here on heart-throb centre back Pablo Mari, on loan at Monza and victim of a cowardly and senseless attack earlier this week. Firstly, the world is clearly mad - you don't need me to tell you that. And secondly, thank goodness it looks like his injuries aren't serious. I wish him a swift and full recovery. Nice touch from the boys following the first goal here...

So on we go. COYG!