'He didn't even': BBC pundit says one Nottingham Forest player struggled badly vs Arsenal

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Chris Wood has been in fine form for Nottingham Forest this season, but head coach Nuno did not include the striker in the starting lineup against Arsenal.

Wood has scored eight goals for Forest in the Premier League this season. He was away on international duty with New Zealand.

Nuno decided to give Wood some rest against Arsenal. The Forest boss named the former Newcastle United and Leeds United striker on the bench for the Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Brian Laws gives verdict on Taiwo Awoniyi's display for Nottingham Forest

Taiwo Awoniyi started instead of Wood. The former Liverpool prospect was deployed as the lone man upfront in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The 27-year-old Nigeria international striker had a bad game and failed to make an impact against Arsenal.

Nuno took Awoniyi off in the 63rd minute and brought on Wood. Forest went on to lose the game against Arsenal 3-0.

Brian Laws was following the match for BBC Radio Nottingham, and the Forest legend noted how Awoniyi struggled without getting good service from the attacking players.

Laws said about Awoniyi on BBC Radio Nottingham (5:12pm, November 23, 2024): "Listen, Gabriel and Saliba are really good quality. They are big, strong lads, you know. That's what they have got in there, their defence now for Arsenal. 

"It was always going to be tough for him and he was always going to live off scraps, but he didn't even get scraps today. He didn't. That's difficult for any… You are only as good as the quality that you get to you.

"Unfortunately, didn't have a lot of quality going into him. The balls that were coming up to him, they were fighting balls. It was never anything where you think he was in control."

Taiwo Awoniyi's game in numbers

Awoniyi has been playing second fiddle to Wood all season. The match against Arsenal saw him make only his second start in the Premier League.

The striker did not get enough service or support from Forest's attacking midfielders and had to live off scraps.

The Nigerian did not have any shot against Arsenal. Awoniyi had a pass accuracy of 66.7%, won three headers, and took 22 touches.

The Forest striker also made one tackle and one clearance. He lost possession nine times.