Oliver Glasner looking on before Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
Photo by Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Arsenal produced one of the most frustrating performances in years against Nottingham Forest but still managed to win the game.
Oliver Glasner’s men were arguably the better side for large parts of the game. They defended brilliantly, gave away almost nothing, and limited the Gunners to just one shot on target all game.
Unfortunately for them, that one shot, from Noni Madueke, proved to be the winner for Arsenal after a wicked deflection.
Forest had their moments in attack, though, but they were dealt with by two of Arsenal’s best players on the night – best in the world, if Glasner is to be believed.
Oliver Glasner says Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes may be the best centre-back partnership in the world
Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes were absolutely outstanding for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest.
Liam Delap caused the two defenders a few problems throughout the game, but they contained him to nothing for large parts and dealt with him brilliantly when it seemed like he got away.
Mikel Arteta claimed Arsenal wouldn’t have won without Konsa and Gabriel, and he is absolutely right. They were both colossal and deserve all the praise in the world.
Even Forest boss Glasner seems to have been impressed with the Gunners duo, and he has given them a massive compliment.
He said after the game, as per Ryan Taylor on X: “Ezri Konsa & Gabriel are possibly the best centre-back pairing in the world at the moment.”
That is huge praise, especially considering that they have only played together for a handful of games.
Arsenal haven’t missed William Saliba
William Saliba, in many people’s eyes, was the best centre-back in the world last season, and his injury was viewed as a massive blow for Arsenal.
The Frenchman hasn’t played a single minute of football yet this season, but the Gunners have still managed to be incredibly solid at the back.
Gabriel has continued to be the leader at the back, but the way Konsa has replaced Saliba has been nothing short of incredible.
Saliba is expected to be back in action in the next few weeks, and Arteta will have a big headache on his hands over who to pick in that right centre-back role.