Following today’s clash between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Nottingham Forest hosted Arsenal at the City Ground on Sunday January 7, with the hosts taking a shock four two victory on the day.
Managerless Forest secured their place in the fourth round draw on the FA Cup with an Eric Lichaj brace and penalties from both Ben Brereton and Kieran Dowell. Arsenal exit the Cup for the first time at the third round stage since January 1996 and pressure will only increase on Arsene Wenger as despite fighting back to make it a one goal game, Arsenal couldn’t find that third and Dowell settled the match with five minutes remaining on the clock.
Teams:
Nottm Forest:
Smith, Lichaj, Worrall, Mancienne, Traore, Vaughan, Osborn, Cash (McKay 87), Dowell (Mills 90+3), Clough (Walker 56), Brereton.
Substitutes:
Henderson, Bouchalakis, Cummings, Vellios.
Arsenal:
Ospina, Debuchy (Akpom 87), Mertesacker, Holding, Maitland-Niles, El Neny, Willock (Nketiah 65), Walcott, Iwobi, Nelson, Welbeck.
Substitutes:
Chambers, Reine-Adelaide, Da Silva, Macey, Osei-Tutu.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Jonathan Moss blew the final whistle, Nottingham Forest caretaker manager Gary Brazil explained.
‘That was a fantastic day for the football club. I may be a little bit biased but I think it was a well-deserved win. There were some big performances from the players this afternoon and I always felt comfortable we would go on and win the game and so it proved. It would have been foolish to play the game Arsenal wanted us to so we had to go on the front foot and get in amongst them. We didn’t want to give them space or time on the ball or allow them to dictate the game. Our first 10 minutes showed our intent and we really set the tempo of the contest.’
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in his comparative interview explained.
‘It was very frustrating being in the stands and unfortunately it was a case on top of that of seeing the team lose. We played a very good Forest team who were sharp and focused. The challenges were decisive. Overall our performance wasn’t good enough. We have many players on the edge of fitness and we play again on Wednesday. When you don’t win the selection is always questioned. I believe we had an experienced team – eight or nine internationals. It would be easy to think that was the problem. When you’re against a team like that they’re very difficult to beat. Defensively you cannot afford the mistakes we made.’
