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Nottingham Forest ace's Haaland comparison as defender sent celebration warning
The end of 2024’s final international break is in sight as Nottingham Forest gear up for their return to action.
The Reds return from the Premier League’s two-week hiatus this weekend, with a trip to face Arsenal on Saturday (3pm kick-off). The clash at the Emirates marks the start of a testing run of fixtures for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side as they look to build on their positive start to the season.
Forest go into the game looking to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United at the City Ground last time out. Below is our round-up of the latest goings-on Trentside ahead of the clash in the capital.
Wood you believe it
In-form front man Chris Wood just cannot stop scoring at the minute - whether that be for the Reds or New Zealand. He already has eight goals for his club so far this term, and will link back up with his teammates having netted a bagful for his country.
A hat-trick in the All Whites’ 8-0 thumping of Samoa made it five goals in two games for Wood from this international camp, having already netted a brace against Vanuatu. Already way out in front as his country’s all-time leading goalscorer, his latest haul took his overall tally to 41. Vaughan Coveny is next on New Zealand’s top scorer list with the 29 goals he plundered from 64 caps between 1992 and 2006.
Prior to the two World Cup qualifiers, All Whites coach Darren Bazeley had said it was difficult to “comprehend the magnitude” of Wood’s red-hot scoring streak this term. And midfielder Matthew Garbett spoke about the 32-year-old’s influence in the dressing room as well as on the pitch.
“He’s very humble, very good with everyone,” Garbett told the New Zealand Herald. “He will chat with everyone, even the new players coming in. To have a guy like him, who is doing what he is doing, is amazing for the team but also for the environment.
“You are putting him up with the names of (Erling) Haaland and the top goalscorers in Europe. It’s good for the squad and teammates to see that a player in the Premier League wants to come back and play for his country every time.”
Trio recognised
Given the above, it is no surprise to see Wood named in Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Season so far. But the forward isn’t the only Forest player included - and that is testament to just how good a start Nuno’s men have made.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels and defender Nikola Milenkovic also make the cut for Shearer’s XI. The strong spine of the Reds’ team is evident.
On Wood, ex-striker Shearer says: "He's having the season of his life, spearheading his team's great start. He's a proper No 9, with wingers playing either side of him, and it's great to see that type of striker still thriving in the Premier League."
Wood has been getting the headlines, but it is at the back where Shearer feels Forest have really made great strides. The defence, he says, has “been their strong point”.
Sels gets praise for his “outstanding” performances, complete with “vital stops” and an ability to command his box. And on Milenkovic, Shearer points out: "His aerial dominance has been huge for Nuno Espirito Santo's side."
Celebration police
There is a question mark over whether Ola Aina will be fit to face the Gunners on Saturday, with the full-back having apparently picked up a knock while on duty for Nigeria. But if he does feature, the celebration police may well be on the lookout for him.
Aina was at the heart of wild scenes in the Forest dressing room after the 3-0 win over West Ham United earlier this month. Having netted a stunning strike that day, footage posted on social media afterwards showed him bouncing around the changing room and joking about sending the Hammers “packing”. But the ex-Chelsea man’s exploits seemingly haven’t gone down well with everyone.
“I know Ola, was a great kid, and he’s a personality as well, but when you talk about sending teams back to where they come from is where you got to be careful,” former Blues youth coach Jody Morris said on Rio Ferdinand Presents (as quoted by Soccernet). “There’s a little line there you can’t cross.
“I don’t think you ever want to limit people’s personality because that’s what they are.
"Physically, he’s an absolute specimen, he can play with his right and left foot. He’s a lovely footballer and he can probably impose himself on games a little bit better, especially with what he has in his locker. It’s always nice to see people you’ve had an affinity or relationships with do well, I’m happy to see him do well.”
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Loanee’s return
Young forward Esapa Osong has been back at Forest in recent days for treatment on a groin injury. The 20-year-old is spending the season on loan at Rotherham United but has had a short spell of recovery at his parent club.
Manager Steve Evans says Rotherham’s treatment room was already overloaded with players, so he spoke to chief football officer Ross Wilson about Osong returning Trentside. The striker, who hasn’t played for more than a month, is due to link back up with the Millers early this week.
“He went back to Forest because of the amount of medical staff they have there,” Evans told the Rotherham Advertiser. “It was driven by me. Our medical team were taken up with Sean Raggett, Jonson Clarke-Harris, Mallik Wilks and Andre Green.
“We're limited resources-wise compared to a Premier League club with a number of physios. There was a conversation between Ross and myself and he said: ‘Right, we'll help you with this, Steve.’”
Osong has made nine appearances for the Millers so far, with his only two starts coming in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. His sole goal for the club to date came in the EFL Trophy competition, against Newcastle United Under-21s.
Meanwhile, another young Forest talent has been tipped for an exciting future. Zyan Blake penned his first professional contract with the club on his 17th birthday.
“Zyan is an exciting player who is quick, a real threat in attacking moments of the game, and can unlock defences with his ability to manipulate the ball in small areas,” head of academy Chris McGuane said. “Zyan is very determined and focused to ensure he meets his potential over the coming years. We are all excited to see how Zyan continues to progress with us at Nottingham Forest and we all look forward to seeing what the future brings for him.”
Attacking midfielder Blake has spent time training with the first-team during the current international break. His new deal runs until the summer of 2027.
