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Nottingham Forest can deal double blow to Arsenal as Evangelos Marinakis showing he means business
Evangelos Marinakis has long made clear his ambitions for Nottingham Forest.
Ending the Reds’ 23-year absence from the Premier League was his first goal. And no sooner had that been achieved, the Greek vowed: “This is only the beginning.”
Marinakis talked of targeting trophies barely 24 hours after promotion had been secured on a memorable day at Wembley in 2022. Earlier this year, he declared he has “big dreams” for the club. And only a matter of weeks ago he outlined his ambition for Forest to get back to competing on the European stage.
“We have what is needed to go all the way. I really believe that,” he said back in September. “But the first target is to perform well in the Premier League, and then if Europe comes we will look forward to performing (in it).”
With Nuno Espirito Santo’s side currently sitting third in the table, suddenly those words carry more weight. There is already a growing sense that this could be a special season at the City Ground.
Marinakis is not one to stand still for long, though. Progression is always the aim.
Forest being where they are in the standings is no fluke; they thoroughly deserve to be riding high above the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
But after Saturday’s win over West Ham United, Nuno was quick to point out there will be no resting on laurels among the squad. Marinakis will no doubt feel exactly the same.
The Reds are threatening to disrupt the established order at the top end of the division this term. And if they manage to add former Gunners sporting director Edu to the equation, it would be another huge statement of intent from Marinakis.
Brazilian Edu is said to be under consideration for a key role in Marinakis’ stable of clubs, which also include Greek side Olympiacos and Portuguese outfit Rio Ave. Poaching someone of his calibre would be a real kick in the gut for Arsenal - adding insult to injury, given Forest sit above them in the table - and a sign that the Reds mean business.
The reaction to Edu’s decision to leave the Emirates says much about the influence he has had there and how highly he is valued. Forest have already demonstrated they can be shrewd operators in the transfer market in recent windows, and the former midfielder would only strengthen the club’s hand.
But whatever happens, simply being linked to Edu is telling enough. The Reds are mixing it with the elite in the upper echelons of the Premier League table, and Marinakis wants to ensure they are there to stay.
