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Every word Nuno said on Nottingham Forest 'worries', injuries and Arsenal defeat
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has admitted Nottingham Forest have “a lot of work to do” to improve at both ends of the pitch after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal.
The Reds failed to register a single shot on target at the Emirates Stadium as their unbeaten away run came to an end. Meanwhile, a previously rock-solid back line has now conceded six goals in the space of two games.
Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri found the back of the net for the Gunners to clinch all three points. And with the result coming on the back of the 3-1 loss at home to Newcastle United prior to the international break, there are areas of concern for Nuno.
To add to the Portuguese’s woes, Morgan Gibbs-White (ankle) and Elliot Anderson (foot) missed out on the match squad due to injury while Anthony Elanga came off at half-time after picking up a knock. Below is a look at what Nuno had to say after the final whistle in the capital.
On the result and performance…
“First of all, it was not a good performance. I will not say bad, but I think we did a lot of bad things.
“We came up short in all aspects of the game. Offensively we were short, and defensively we have to recognise we have conceded six goals in two games so we should be worried.
“We have to put it right immediately this week. We have to get back to being compact, solid and not giving too much time to individual players with such quality.
“Second half we were better when we had adjusted a little bit. We were better pressing. But Arsenal were very clinical and played good. They killed the game and it was a tough day for us.”
On how Forest were punished by Arsenal…
“When their quality players are involved in the game and have a lot of participation, it becomes harder. (Martin) Odegaard is one of them, but they also have good players in the wider areas. (Leandro) Trossard created a lot of problems and Saka created a lot of problems.
“We needed more help for our defenders to close the gaps. You cannot give time to players. This is something we have to put right individually.”
On conceding six goals in the space of two games…
“They were totally different games. Against Newcastle, we were surprised. They caught us on the counterattack and we were chasing the game.
“Today, we allowed Arsenal space. The second goal is a fantastic strike - congratulations to Thomas - but you cannot allow him to have that space to shoot so freely on goal. This has to come from inside; an extra effort to reduce this distance is important for us.”
On not having a shot on target…
“It is too short. There was a moment in the first half where we had the momentum; we had two or three moments where we broke and there was something. The contact was not there and all these things.
“But overall, very short. Even when we had the momentum of the game and Arsenal were in their box, we didn’t finish the actions. We had it but we didn’t finish the actions. We have a lot of work to do - and we are going to do it.”
On Gibbs-White and Anderson being sidelined…
“Morgan had a nasty injury against Chelsea. Before the international break, him and Elliot made a big effort to help the team and they did that.
“Both of them were not in the right condition to help the team this week. Hopefully for the next one.”
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On Elanga’s injury…
“He is in a lot of pain. We have to wait for the scan. I don’t know what it is exactly but he was not able to continue.”
On Jota Silva’s substitute appearance…
“He came on on the right after Anthony came off - and we need to assess how he (Elanga) is with his shoulder. He gives energy.
“And then we went to play (him) inside. We gained something from him with his mobility and his speed. Even though important players were out, I think we have solutions in the squad to give better answers.”
