Arsenal rout Nottingham Forest 3-0 as fans taunt returning manager Ange Postecoglou
Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyökeres score at the Emirates as Postecoglou faces immediate pressure in his first Premier League return
Arsenal defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday as returning manager Ange Postecoglou was jeered by home supporters during his first match back in the Premier League.
Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a volley that beat goalkeeper Matz Sels, and Viktor Gyökeres added a second shortly after the interval when he tapped home a cross from Eberechi Eze. Zubimendi completed the scoring with a headed finish on 79 minutes to seal the victory for Mikel Arteta's side.
Home supporters made their feelings known about Postecoglou, who left Tottenham Hotspur earlier and was appointed Nottingham Forest manager this week. Fans chanted "Are you Tottenham in disguise?" and later belted out "You're getting sacked in the morning!" as Forest struggled to impose themselves at the Emirates.
Under new owner Evangelos Marinakis, Postecoglou said at his first Forest press conference this week that expectations at the club would be high. Asked whether he could bring silverware to the East Midlands, he replied: "Of course I can, I may have to [win a trophy] to get a second year here. I've said it already, that's what I want to do. I want to win trophies. That's what I've done my whole career, and that's what I want to try and do here. Every club wants to be successful, but since the president took over the club those ambitions are backed up with actions. Perfect conditions for me."
Postecoglou took over from Nuno Espírito Santo amid reports of a deteriorating relationship between the Portuguese manager and Marinakis. Club sources and public comments earlier in the summer had suggested tensions over squad matters, and Nuno was replaced just weeks after Marinakis publicly described their relationship as "strong." Postecoglou had been linked with Forest after meeting Marinakis over the summer.
The defeat leaves Forest without victory in their opening fixtures, recording back-to-back 3-0 losses, and increases immediate pressure on the new manager to secure points. Forest travel to Burnley next in the Premier League and are due to face Real Betis in the Europa League, fixtures that the club will view as opportunities to arrest their slow start.
Arsenal, meanwhile, moved on comfortably under Arteta. The Gunners' win was built on controlled possession and decisive finishing, with Zubimendi's volley breaking a cagey first third and Gyökeres converting a well-timed cross after the interval. Zubimendi's late header wrapped up the three-goal margin and preserved Arsenal's momentum early in the season.
Post-match remarks from both camps focused on the immediate future rather than the events inside the stadium. Forest will regroup ahead of the trip to Burnley, while Arsenal prepare for their next fixture as they look to maintain the form that produced a comprehensive win at home.
The managerial change and surrounding narrative at Nottingham Forest will remain a storyline to monitor as the season progresses, with expectations from the club's ownership and supporters set against early results on the pitch.