Alious
Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal exposed some critical vulnerabilities, but CBS Sports pundit Robbie Mustoe pinpointed a key absence that might have changed the complexion of the match: Chris Wood.
Despite traveling back from international duty with New Zealand, Wood was restricted to just 20 minutes of play, a decision that Mustoe believes significantly hampered Forest’s attacking options. The striker’s importance to the team was laid bare during a challenging afternoon at the Emirates, where Forest looked distinctly toothless without his presence.
Wood, who has already netted eight goals this season, represents more than just a goalscoring threat. His ability to hold up play and provide a focal point for Forest’s attack was sorely missed against a high-pressing Arsenal side. While Taiwo Awoniyi worked hard, feeding off scraps, he couldn’t replicate Wood’s impact.
The match was further complicated by additional absences. Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson were unavailable, leaving a notable creativity gap in midfield. New signing James Ward-Prowse, meanwhile, struggled in his first start after a six-week layoff.
Despite the heavy defeat, Forest sit comfortably with 19 points from 12 games, suggesting this performance was an anomaly rather than a trend. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo will likely focus on defensive reorganization in training, looking to arrest a recent slide in defensive solidity.
The key takeaway? Chris Wood isn’t just a striker for Forest – he’s potentially their most crucial player this season.
Alious
