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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Ste McGovern

Jermaine Jenas slams 'recurring' Nottingham Forest error that Arsenal exploited

BBC pundit Jermaine Jenas says that Nottingham Forest were "lucky" they didn't lose by more to Arsenal after repeatedly making the same mistake on Sunday.

The Gunners ran out 5-0 winners at the Emirates to return to the top of the Premier League table as the Reds were no match for their attacking prowess. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and a brace from substitute Reiss Nelson condemns the East Midlands outfit to another week at the bottom of the standings.

Analysing the game on Match of the Day 2, Jenas says that Forest were positioned well in the build-up to the opening goal, but contends that Steve Cook should have impeded Martinelli's run.

READ MORE: Michail Antonio sends key Nottingham Forest instruction to Steve Cooper

SEE ALSO: Jesse Lingard point made as former Forest striker highlights failings at Arsenal

"They just started the game poorly, Martinelli scores after five minutes," the Nottingham native said. "When the ball comes out to Bukayo Saka, they're in a good line.

"Steve Cook in the middle of defence can see Martinelli, he needs to take the space away from him. Granted, he makes a great run, but they have eight players in the box against Martinelli, and Martinelli takes control of that situation to get his goal."

Though the bigger problem, according to Jenas, was the fact that Forest continually left space in behind while failing to apply pressure on Arsenal when they were in possession and looking to attack, calling it a "recurring theme". He also criticised the backline for not dropping back quickly enough in defensive situations.

On the second goal, the former Forest player said: "Within one pass to Thomas Partey, who has no one around him, you've got your right-back who should be watching the run of Granit Xhaka but is more obsessed with Martinelli. So with two passes [Arsenal] are on the edge of their box [and score]. This is the start of the second half, you've gone in at 1-0 and within a couple of minutes you're 2-0 down and it's basically game over."

He added: "You've got to drop quicker. Everyone's standing and watching. You're playing against one of the most in-form and best teams in the league right now and they were lucky it was five. It could've been six or seven quite easily."

Do you agree? Drop us a comment!

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