Some Arsenal fans will not remember this, although the shock Premier League triumph of Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City side did cause a lot of people to hark back to the similar achievement of the managerial duo of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor in the 70s, but Arsenal’s opponents in the EFL cup after this international break, Nottingham Forest, were once the kings of Europe.
Hard to believe though it is, the midlands club that has been struggling to get back into England’s top division since being relegated under the managerial reign of ‘big’ Ron Atkinson in 1999, won back to back European cups after being crowned champions of England in their first season back in the top flight.
This was all a long time ago though, so the Gunners will travel to the City Ground later this month as firm favourites, but Forest have seen off Premier League opposition in the cups recently, most notably with a 5-0 hammering of West Ham two years ago, so we should not take them too lightly.
That is a possibility though, as the following weekend sees Arsenal go up against another European cup winner in Chelsea, and Wenger will surely see that game as the much more important one. The good news for us is that Chelsea’s League cup match is away to Leicester so they may be forced to field a stronger side while Wenger rests some key players.
So will September see Arsenal beat two European champions in the space of a week?
Bob.
I am focused on Southampton
After the title, I thought it’s Madrid and Barca, but damn, it’s Nottingham forest, the European title holders.. I’m scared now
1 game at a time plzzz..geeezz
I find this title very funny. a shame that even a Nottingham forest and our dear rival chelsea have won European title but we have been just a mere guest for the past decade.
Pressure is one arsenal fc this season. £90 million has been spent and for that a proper challenge should be mounted at all fronts. Just a fight for top 4 for another season after spending huge money will be a huge failure
Ozil and Sanchez want release clause in new Arsenal contract – ESPN
Sure…. Valued at 100 million each
Hey guys,
Just a quickie, has anyone read any of arsene’s books? I just watched an interview and he seems like a really down to earth guy. I’ve only really seen him on post and pre match interviews but this time he was asked great questions and gave great answers. The interview was for IWC I believe on YouTube. Please leave a reply if you have read his book! Cheers!
Do you work for Arsenal Football Club by any chance?
Lol! I’m a tiler by trade and live in canada. Why do you ask?
Because your post seemed “promotional”, LoL
Haha classic!
Southampton @ Home on 10th
Away @ PSG on 13th
Will Wenger rest players in the Southampton match for the PSG match?
United will play City and Chelsea, Hull and Everton all play away, so our Southampton match is important to catch up to the leaders.
OT Its really funny we haven’t tasted the UCL trophy when you look at some clubs in the lower division that has won it,you tend to wonder what happened to AFC. Isn’t The Saints our next opponent? We should focus on them,and why should we rest players? What are they getting paid for?
Comments here saying Forest are in lower division, not a big club blah blah. But when they won the first Division title, League Cup in first season after promotion, European Cup twice, they were terrific. That squad, Shilton, Viv Anderson, Burns, Lloyd, Frank Clark, Bowyer, Martin O’Neil, Gemmill, John McGovern, John Robertson and Gary Birtles was probably the best squad I have ever seen in my life along with our Invincibles. That was assembled on a very low budget, And, the Manager, Brian Clough who was a force by himself. They would put the current overpaid primma donnas to sword. When we went unbeaten, it was, I think Forest’s record that we surpassed (as Preston played fewer games in their invincible season).
Got to give credit where it is due,. But we have many fixtures before going to the City Ground, mind you I would want us to win all the other fixtures in this month even if it means exit in League cup . We have a Premier League title to win. COYG!