PREMIER LEAGUE
London, Sep 13: Ange Postecoglou got a harsh reintroduction to the Premier League with new team Nottingham Forest as Arsenal’s new signings Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres combined to secure a 3-0 win on Saturday.
Zubimendi, the Spain defensive midfielder recruited from Real Sociedad, volleyed home spectacularly from the edge of the area in the 32nd minute to put Arsenal in front before Gyokeres tapped in a cross from Eberechi Eze – another summer signing – to double the lead inside the opening minute of the second half.
Zubimendi headed in the third in the 79th minute to complete a miserable return to English soccer for Postecoglou, the former Tottenham manager who was hired by Forest on Tuesday as a replacement for the fired Nuno Espírito Santo.
“This week, it’s fair to say, was fairly disruptive for the players,” Postecoglou said.
“International week as well, so they didn’t get in until Thursday, Friday – they see a new manager and I’m trying to implement new things.“So it’s only understandable that they probably haven’t got clarity of thought at the moment. But that’s my job to try to bed that (in) over the next few weeks.”
Arsenal has won three of its first four games, losing the other to likely title rival Liverpool.
Postecoglou was fired by Tottenham in June despite Spurs winning the Europa League title and securing qualification to the Champions League. Domestically, though, Tottenham finished 17th, just one spot above relegation.
Forest offered little at Emirates Stadium aside from a chested effort from Chris Wood that Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya tipped onto the crossbar.
Otherwise, it was all Arsenal despite manager Mikel Arteta being without star players Bukayo Saka and William Saliba because of injuries, starting with Declan Rice on the bench and seeing captain Martin Odegaard go off in the 18th minute with a suspected shoulder injury.
Gyokeres has now netted three goals in his first four games, with his latest strike an example of what Arsenal has been missing – a center forward with a scorer’s instinct in the penalty area.
“It feels great, the guys in the team have been amazing,” the Sweden international said.
“It’s been so easy to get into the group. But, of course, a bit of time where you have to settle in with everything around.”
Arsenal’s comfortable victory not only underlined the depth and resilience of Mikel Arteta’s squad but also sent an ominous warning to their rivals that this team, even without some of its brightest stars, has the strength and adaptability to mount a serious challenge on all fronts this season. For Postecoglou, meanwhile, the defeat was a sobering reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Premier League, where transition periods are short-lived and patience often thinner than expected.
The Australian, who arrives at Nottingham Forest with a reputation for bold attacking football, must now find a way to steady a side that looked bereft of confidence and ideas in North London.
His task is complicated by the fact that Forest are already under scrutiny after a poor start, and supporters will be expecting swift signs of improvement in both performances and results. For Arsenal, however, the day was all about new beginnings clicking into place – Zubimendi’s authority in midfield, Gyokeres’ hunger in front of goal, and Eze’s flair on the flanks offering fresh avenues of creativity.
With momentum on their side and key players still to return, Arsenal will feel buoyed not just by the points but by the manner of the display, a performance that suggested this squad may finally have the tools, balance, and depth to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race.
For all the talk surrounding injuries, fatigue from the international break, and the absence of senior names, Arsenal hardly missed a beat, showcasing the kind of maturity and squad depth that is often the hallmark of potential champions.
The Emirates faithful would have been encouraged not just by the scoreline but by the sheer authority with which their side dictated play, turning a potentially tricky fixture into a statement performance. For Postecoglou and Nottingham Forest, however, the gulf in quality was painfully exposed; this was a reminder that survival in the top flight demands far more than tactical ideas and motivational soundbites.
The Australian coach has inherited a squad still searching for identity and consistency, and unless Forest can quickly adapt to his methods, their campaign may be defined more by struggle than stability. (AP)