Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports
Topics: Nuno Espirito Santo, Arsenal, Champions League, Premier League, Nottingham Forest
Josh Lawless
Topics: Nuno Espirito Santo, Arsenal, Champions League, Premier League, Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo left Martin Keown stunned in silence with a remark he made about Arsenal on TNT Sports.
After back-to-back losses to Fulham and Newcastle United, Forest welcomed Arsenal to the City Ground on Wednesday night as second met third in the Premier League.
The two sides played out a 0-0 draw which was enough for Forest to remain in third position, though Manchester City's 1-0 win at Spurs means they are now just a point clear.
Espirito Santo has achieved huge success with Forest this season with a system typically featuring three centre-backs and wing-backs, though he has demonstrated tactical flexibility and reverted to a back four on occasion.
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Wednesday was one of those instances as the former Wolves boss elected to field four defenders for the visit of Arsenal. After the game, former Gunners defender Keown was eager to find out what sparked the tweak - but he wasn't expecting Espirito Santo to be so direct about Arsenal and the lack of threat they pose without a recognised striker.
"I'll tell you. As Arsenal doesn't have a striker, with [Mikel] Merino playing in that position - there's no need for an extra body. The overload will be in the midfield and it's about containing the midfield."
In a clip from the coverage shared by TNT Sports, Keown didn't offer much of a response and replied, "Yeah ok".
Forest showed their defensive capabilities to claim another clean sheet, with Espirito Santo delighted with how his team responded to a recent blip and returned to their level.
"I’m very happy with the way we did things, the way we played against Arsenal,” he told BBC Sport.
"It's very difficult to play against them. They’re a very good team. It requires a lot of effort. We were solid and compact. Very positive game.
"After this period we had conceding it was important to go back to basics - solid, clean sheet. We had a couple of moments to do it better. But in terms of the game, positive because it was very important to go back to the team we are that allows us to be successful.
"They have danger all over the place. Set-pieces are some of them. It requires focus.The boys did well. We prepared it."
Forest are back in action with an FA Cup fifth round clash with Ipswich Town, before hosting City in a huge game the following week.
Arsenal's elimination from the FA Cup means they have a free weekend, giving them extra time to prepare for the Champions League round of 16 first leg meeting with PSV Eindhoven.