One of the good things about football is how many second chances it gives you and this is something Harry Arter may find with his Nottingham Forest career.
Ahead of Forest’s midweek battle with Luton Town, it was revealed by BBC Radio Nottingham that Arter was back in training after getting injured in the 1-0 FA Cup victory over Cardiff City.
With one spot left in Forest’s 25-man squad, it now seems as if Arter will take that slot and subsequently get a chance to restart a move that fell on its face at the first hurdle.
Much was expected from the Republic of Ireland international when he signed in the summer from AFC Bournemouth, with many claiming he was the best signing out of the 14 players Forest signed.
However, that hasn’t proved to be the case whatsoever, with the 31-year-old making just 14 appearances in all competitions and offering very little in those matches.
Injuries have played a part – the knock against Cardiff marking the second time this season Arter has spent time on the sidelines – but Arter hasn’t lived up to expectation and has even arguably become expendable.
In fact, there were rumours linking him with a move to Bristol City in January and even though manager Chris Hughton downplayed that as speculation, it’s hardly been a thriving relationship between Arter and the club thus far.
The entire team dynamic has changed since Arter’s injury as well, with Forest now utilising a settled midfield of Cafu, James Garner and Filip Krovinovic.
This has left experienced midfielders like Jack Colback and Samba Sow on the bench, while even possible player of the season Ryan Yates isn’t guaranteed a start anymore.
As such, breaking into that midfield is going to prove very difficult and it’s maybe for the best that Ireland won’t be at the upcoming Euros, otherwise Arter would be in a very difficult position.
However, the fact that he’s training among the first team suggests that the door isn’t completely shut on his Trentside stay.
There were three players vying for that final spot – Arter, Fouad Bachirou and Michael Dawson.
Dawson has seemingly got more involved with his coaching this year, as well as battling injuries, while Bachirou has proved to be an unfortunate casualty of Sabri Lamouchi’s sacking.
Lamouchi pinpointed Bachirou as a priority signing, but he got injured on his debut against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup and after he got fit again, Bachirou had a new manager who told him that he could leave.
Ironically, Forest then had a midfield injury crisis and Bachirou had to play – starting in the FA Cup against Swansea City and coming on a substitute against Barnsley in the league – but it very much feels that he’ll be out the exit door in the summer.
In any case, if Arter has got that final spot, it’s one less midfielder for him to worry about as Bachirou won’t be registered to play.
Whether he can crack that midfield – or even become a valuable first team member from the bench – is another matter entirely, but it would appear he’s going to get the chance.
The frustration for Forest fans is that there is probably that coveted player they all wanted in there somewhere, but for whatever reason, it just hasn’t happened.
It will probably have to happen fairly soon though, as with Forest approaching safety and the comforts of midtable, Hughton will start looking to next season and will be weighing up who stays and who goes.
As such, Arter will have to make the most of the opportunities that come his way, as it very much appears that his Forest career hangs on the last roll of the dice in last chance saloon.
Can Harry Arter still be a good signing for Nottingham Forest?
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