Opinion & Comment

Ange Postecoglou’s first big conundrum is now clear after Nottingham Forest lose to Arsenal

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Nottingham Forest lost to Arsenal as Ange Postecoglou got a rough welcome back to the Premier League.

Two goals from Martin Zubimendi and a strike from Viktor Gyokeres ensured a miserable afternoon as Postecoglou took charge of Forest for the first time.

Postecoglou lauded three players after the Forest defeat, but ultimately, he will start to learn more about his players after more training sessions and more games.

Forest play Swansea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, and Postecoglou has hinted at changes to the team with the Welsh outfit struggling in the Championship this season.

Ibrahim Sangare chasing Ethan Nwaneri in midfield.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Ibrahim Sangare delivers first conundrum to Ange Postecoglou

Although Sangare wasn’t nearly as bad as some fans made out after the defeat to Arsenal, there is a question mark over whether or not he’s right for the sort of football Postecoglou wants to play.

With Douglas Luiz set to sign a permanent contract for Forest if he makes 15 or more appearances, he will almost certainly be hoping to stake his claim for a place in the coming weeks.

Sangare actually lost possession three times at Arsenal, which, compared to the nine times that Neco Williams lost possession, or the six that Morgan Gibbs-White was snuffed out, is hardly bad.

Sangare’s pass accuracy was once again good too, with 94% of the passes he attempted coming to fruition on a frustrating day for the Reds.

For the Ivorian, perhaps his biggest problem is mobility, and there is an argument that in a two-man midfield, perhaps the squad now has players – like Luiz – better equipped for a Postecoglou style of play.

Postecoglou will almost certainly drop Sangare vs Swansea

It’s proving hard for Sangare to justify his £30 million price tag and it feels as though, in the eyes of some supporters, their minds are now made up.

A game against Championship opposition feels like the ideal time to take Sangare out of the spotlight and give Luiz – or Ryan Yates – the chance to shine.

Sangare will have a role to play this season, especially with four competitions on the cards, but yesterday highlighted the player’s limitations against better opposition.

Postecoglou will be learning about his players all the time, and the 27-year-old is most certainly providing the Australian with his first conundrum as the Forest head coach.