Transcript of Arsenal v Nottingham Forest | MATCH PREVIEW

Hello, everybody, and welcome back to Garabaldi-RED, a Nottingham Forest podcast as Forest Travel to Arsenal tomorrow. Football is back after an international break, another international break. I won't give my thoughts on those because we all don't like them and we're ready for club football to return, which it does tomorrow. And Forest Travel to North London for a big top six clash against Arsenal. And Forest will be backed by a sold-out away And as usual, the Reds fans will make lots of noise. And fingers crossed, we can get something to discuss a little bit of the international break, what we make a forest so far and everything like that. If you quiet a few weeks, really, as well, and preview the game, joined as ever by the brilliant Mark Turner, who is not in his usual spot. Mark, any want to tell the viewers where you are today?

Hey, Max. Good morning. You and I are closer than we typically would be. Usually, there's a seven-hour time difference from Colorado to your digs. But I'm actually in Atlanta, Georgia today, which means there's only five hours between us. I'm on Eastern time. I'm going to show our viewers exactly where I am.

Oh, that's nice. It's lovely. Fancy.

This is... I don't know if you can see over there. That is where the Atlanta Falcons play in NFL, Mercedes Benz Stadium. I am 62 floors up, the third tallest hotel in America. So there you go.

Very nice, mate. I hope that's not coming out. I've already read budget, I've got to say.

You don't get that on every podcast, Max.

No, you don't. You are right, mate. You're right. Well, anyway, thanks for joining us. Mark, let's We're going to look back at almost... We'll obviously talk about Arsenal, but the international rate has been a bit of a quiet one. I wanted to talk really about Marillo and Morgan Gibbs-White. Yes, Morgan didn't feature as much as he'd have liked. He didn't really... He obviously came on and got the assist, but he should have probably maybe started at least one of those games during the international break. Marillo as well being caught up for Brazil. Just two good pieces of news there. And also, Mark just shows almost how far Forest have come to have two players playing in this international break?

Yeah, absolutely. And of course, they're not the only ones with Malinkowitch and with Nico Williams and a number of others as well. But you're right, those are two that are friends of mine because they are relatively, in the case of Morgan, relatively recent call-ups. And Murillo, of course, first call-up to the full international. So definitely an example of the progress Forrest have made, and of course, that those individuals have made. You're right in regards to Morgan. I think it would have It would be reasonable to expect a few more minutes during this particular break. He showed out so well in the last one. And I feel bad for him that he hasn't made any appearances at Wembley yet. Because if I were an England player, that would be the absolute pinnacle, right? Other than playing in tournaments the World Cup and the Euros and such. But just to be in the mix, I think it's fantastic. It'll be interesting to see what... I'm not going to say this properly because I've heard about four or five different ways to say it, but Toucel, Thomas Toucel. Okay, we'll do when he takes the reins here in January.

But I think, Max, that's something else that's really positive as well. If I'm walking to Gibbs White right now, I'm thinking about that. I'm thinking, Okay, so Likasi knew me. It's not been naive. That was part of the reason that Morgan got drafted in because he was a known quantity, and Likasi wanted to give him an opportunity to show up on that full international stage. Tuckle isn't going to have any of those associations with Morgan. And so it's really going to be what happens here in the next month and a half that perhaps is going to influence the squad he picks when he takes over the three lines. So if I'm Morgan Gibbs-Wright right now, I'm going half a leather for the next five, six, seven weeks to prove that I deserve to be in that next squad. Murillo is a little bit different. Obviously, he's going to have to wait for his opportunities, probably based upon injuries and availability. But the performance is we've seen from him this year. If he just continues with that consistent level of performance, then I think he's in good shape for future call-ups.

Yeah, absolutely. And wanted to touch on Murillo as well a little bit. He's had some interest this week, Real Madrid talking about matching the price. And then there's been some rumors that Marinox is coming out to say, We're basically not going to shift and we don't want to sell Marillo. Instead of getting into those rumors, really, Mark, wanting to talk about, Surely if you're Marillo and Forrest are high flying at the minute. We don't know where the next, as you were mentioning with Morgan there, the next seven to eight weeks could take us leading up to a busy Christmas period as well. If you're Marillo, with Forrest on this good run of form, surely you'd want to stay or do you Can you see him going in January?

It's a really hard one, Max. I think in this day and age, he's so heavily influenced by agents and probably things outside of the players control. And then ultimately, the player has a final say. But that's a really hard one to call. We don't know Murillo personally, so we don't know what his aspirations are. And it's difficult for me to say, Well, if I were Murillo, I'd say through the end of the season, I'm not Murillo, and I'm a Forest fan of 40 plus years. So ever so slightly biased. So that's a really hard one to answer. And I just got done saying, if I'm Morgan, I'm going half a leather for the next six, seven weeks. Of course, Tuchel doesn't pick a team now until, well, late February, early March. I think it's the next break, right? Yeah. So Morgan has a stretch of time. He has more time than I just suggested. But nevertheless, I think it would be good for him to flare up over the holiday period and really give Tuchel something to think about. So in both cases, Max, it's hard. We're obviously speculating. But I think the thing you can say about Murillo is there is no doubt he'll end up in one of the big clubs here, one of the really big clubs here, Forest or a big club, in the not-too-distant future.

Yeah, absolutely, mate. Absolutely. And just staying on a big seven to eight weeks ahead. We're nearly at the end of November now, which is mental to say, just how quickly time flies. Almost do the next four weeks, I guess, up until the end of December, Mark, does that really... If Forest can get some results, and of course, we're going to talk about Arsenal, but that's going to be a tough challenge. There's some tough games. You've got City United in that mix, Topnam at home on Boxing Day, Ipswich aren't an easy task at the minute. If Forest do manage to pick up points during that and almost stabilize where we are at the minute, do you think that's a message, almost, to the wider football in world, that Forest will most likely stay in the top half of the table in that second half of the season, if you get what I mean. So almost the next few weeks, not decide for a season, but almost show whether we're going to be a team that's going to be in the bottom half of the table or a team that's in the top half of the table, a team that possibly, unbelievably, could be in the top seven or eight of the league.

Yeah, you're right. We know the Christmas period is traditionally heavygoing. And so I wouldn't say seasons are made or broken by what happens during that time, but you certainly can to provide yourself a really strong platform for what happens thereafter. You're right, we have a stretch of really tough games coming up. But again, Max, I don't think that's a bad thing. I think if we can come through that stretch positively, picking up more than what people might consider to be our fair share of points, then I think that's going to be good for the team Psyche, but I think it's also going to stand us instead then for a strong spring. It's going to be interesting. It's going to be interesting as well, Max. We talked about this before to see what Nuno does with the squad. It's interesting because I'm sure you've seen them, too, these cool little segments that Forest Media have been putting out with the players. They're rapid fire questions. I've seen several of them now where the question comes up, who's the hardest player you face in training? I heard Callum's name mentioned, but weirdly, I've not heard Morgan's name mentioned.

I've not heard Wood's name mentioned. More And often than not, I hear Jotter, and it's curious. So I'm going to be fascinated to see what Nuno does with the squad. His hand has to be forced to a certain degree. He's really got to utilize all of the players available to him. Otherwise, I think we're going to see some heavy legs, and there are no international breaks to give players a bit of a breather now. It's head down for the next couple of months.

Yeah, absolutely. I think as well, the Christmas period, I think not... Maybe it's talked about too much in football, but it is such a busy... I can't remember in the times of the Championship, you would often see managers sacked over the Christmas period because you'd go into the Christmas period doing all right, and then you'd have, I can't remember, Mark Warbotton at Forest in the Championship. We had a few poor results. It was game over for him. Obviously not saying that that's going to happen with Nuno, but just saying that it is such a busy period. Just looking at the next few fixtures, I say few, fixtures leading up to almost the new year. Forest, obviously, away at Arsenal tomorrow at three o'clock. Then it's a home tie game against Ipswich. Then it's City and Man United away in the same week. So everyone gets to come up to Manchester for a change. Villa at Home, half five, that's in front of the tele cameras. Again, that's quite a big one. Brentford away on the 21st before Tottenham at Home on Boxing Day. Then we get into Everton before we brace ourselves for 2025. And that's some big fixtures.

Not saying Forest have had an easy start to the season, but there's some really difficult games there. Isn't it, Mark?

Yeah, there is.

But is it cool- You think Forest are going to win all of them?

But here's the thing. If I'm a player and I'm having to give up my Christmas and time away from the family and out on the road and whatnot, those are the games I want to be playing. Is it cool for me to suggest that it be almost worse over the Christmas period for the slate of fixtures to be Wolves and Southampton and Ipswich? I know we have Ipswich. Do you know what I mean? It's like, oh, God, I'm missing Christmas with a family and we're down in bloody Southampton.

Good point.

I don't want to be playing Man City. I don't want to be playing Spurs and Arsenal. Those are the games that we're in the Premier League for. So yeah, I mean, again, giving up Christmas for my family. I want to be playing against those big guns. And like you said, the cameras are going to be around. I mean, these are the fictions. These are the games that are going to be on TV and everyone's going to be excited to watch. People are going to be off work, be knocking about the house, looking forward to those games. So yeah, I don't know. It's an exciting time. It's exciting. And you'll get to see it in person. I will be the mug in sat at home trying to catch it all on TV.

Yeah, true. Although, actually, I I tell her I am missing a couple of games for work commitments over the next couple of weeks, which is a bit bad. So I'm missing Ipswich actually at home.

We have a telestar in our midst now, don't we?

Well, that's very kind, Very kind.. Well, no, it's been shared too much on social media. Come on, I'm going to stay humble. Do you know what, Mark? I was actually saving this until the end of the episode. I was going to say, sorry for the lack of uploads and podcast this week, but it's been a bit of a busy week. I, luckily, really, greatfully made my debut on East Midlands today, which was brilliant as a reporter. So that was a very proud moment for me this week, but all focus on Garabaldi Red, of course, this week and this weekend for the trip to Arsenal, which I am going. I've just delayed you actually, Mark, recording this, going live on this podcast because I was buying our match food, basically, for our trip down on the train tomorrow. I was in a well-known British supermarket getting a few meal deals. So, yeah, there you go. Mark, let's talk about Arsenal. We get onto it after 12 minutes of rambling about other stuff. It is a difficult game where they are in the league They will be desperate for a win as well, particularly with obviously City dropping points recently and going through a bit of a bad patch of form.

Liverpool are flying, so that adds into the mix of it. But surely if you're an Arsenal fan or you're an Arsenal player or anyone associated I appreciate it with that football club at the minute, you're probably fearing Forest tomorrow, given our brilliant start to the season and our away form, or is that me getting too excited? Do you think Arsenal could not turn us over, but you can see an Arsenal win?

It's interesting, Max. I mean, this is a game with so many facets, and you touched on several of them there. I mean, first and foremost, be Forest's opportunity to really go head to head with a title rival. That's fun. But now you touched on the so many facets here, right? We have players hot off the international break who are going to be ready to hit the ground running. They're going to be high on life, Walton Gimsby and the Morelos of this world. You have those players then who are going to be rested, who are going to be for the week and a half, two weeks, get their legs back under them. You're going to have those players in the squad. We already referenced Jota, we got Sosa, a couple of others who are going to be anxious now. Start pushing into that first team, getting a few additional minutes. We, of course, got our relative positions in the league, both of us being in the lofty heights of top six. And you do go, Hey, you have Arsenal's current form and correspondingly, Forrest's form away from home, which if we'd start here a year ago, Max, on this podcast, and you said to Forrest away from me, isn't it?

Fantastic. It's even better than we're doing at home. I'd be like, Max, are you on your meds? What's going on, mate? I mean, it'd be crazy. But it is. It's astonishing how Forrest to turn that around. And so it makes, I think, for a really fascinating game tomorrow, which I'm struggling to call. I think ordinarily, you'd say eight times out of 10, you'd expect our times Forrest will sneak something, maybe a draw, and then maybe a win. But you've got to have Arsenal down on the card. I don't know that that's the case tomorrow. I think it's a coin toss. I think it's almost a 50-50. It'll be interesting to see who Arsenal put out because Saka's in the balance, Soda Guard, obviously, although he had an impressive showing on his return, still isn't fully match fit. So they've got some key players struggling. So it's going to be fascinating.

Yeah, absolutely. I'm just looking at the form now and you think as a football journalist and presenter like me, I have known this, Arsenal's recent form, but I had no idea, Arsenal have anyone won one in their last five games, which is pretty interesting. Forest obviously winning three in their last five, most recently the defeat to Newcastle impact in that as well. Do you think the international break as well, almost, Mark, going into this game, probably came at the right time? I know often it's talked about in football everyone says, Well, you go into the international break with a win under your belt, the confidence it breathes, the atmosphere around, the training ground. But surely almost having a defeat and then having a bit of a week or two to just breathe, then we go again. Or do you think we should... My point is, do you think it should have just been For us, would have been better to have quick rapid fixtures in successions, to almost forget the Newcastle game and quickly move on?

I think most of the time that would be the case. I think most of the time, managers and players are going to say, You want another game, right? You want another a few games to get the stink of the defeat off and turn things around. But I think as hard as Nuno has been playing this starting 11, and there's been very few changes to over the last half dozen games, I think a break was a good thing. Again, I keep using this phrase, giving the players a chance to get their legs back under them. But I think as a squad, it's an opportunity to reset, catch their breath a little bit as they head into what's going to be a tough slate over the holiday period. So ordinarily, Max, I push back. I'd say no. International breaks are never a good thing. They're never at the right time. But I think this is a rare occasion where I think it'll do Forest favors.

Yeah, definitely. Is it crazy that we're talking about Just looking at the table, Forest, just one place below Arsenal and almost one goal difference, separating fifth and fourth. Forest in that top five, come possibly even the end of November, going into December, remember. I know we've talked about it so much, Mark, and I was listening to Nuno's press conference that was live yesterday. And a question from a journalist actually was to him, almost, you're on such a good run at the minute. Can you believe Can you believe it? Can you believe that these results have come so quickly? And that is, I think, what we're all thinking. It really is still that we're dreaming. And not that Forrest shouldn't be fifth because we've played really good football and we deserve to be fifth because we've got the results, but it still doesn't feel real, if you get what I mean.

I think it doesn't feel real for your generation. I'm not being flippant. I came up in heady days. I'm originally from Oxford. The region I follow, Nottingham Forest, and I think I've probably covered this in other pods in the past, this one and others I've been involved in. So I apologize if anyone's heard this story before. But I'll be brief. It's because literally as a nipper, there were two things that influenced me. I had all my friends at school that were Man United and Liverpool fans at the time, and I just didn't want to go with the crowd. I wanted to be different. Then I saw this vision, this bombastic man on TV in the form of Brian Clough, giving the world What for? It truly was a rebel city stuff. When I was, name check, when I was joking with Trev about dragging him into Forest I would apologize to him. I'm like, Dude, we're in the wilderness here. I'm really sorry. I promise you this club does have the potential to do more and be better. And so when Forest got promoted at Wembley, he and I got to share that. I was more delighted for him than I was for me, probably.

So when you say that, is it hard to consider? And Forest fans dazed and confused, the heady heights of fifth and up there within a point of Arsenal. Yes, there's definitely a portion of our fan base that are thinking and feeling like that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not taking it for granted. I'm very, very excited about where we are right now, but I've been here before, and so this is not uncommon for me. I'm excited to see Forrest back where they belong. And bringing it back to present day, Max, Nuno is really... He's really getting the best out of this team. I'll forever be thankful for what Stevie Cooper did for us in squeezing blood out of a stone to keep us, just about keep us in the Premier League the first two seasons. But Nuno has taken us to a whole other level. I think the potential in this team is finally being realized. I think Forest fans, if we get through Christmas, Max, and we're still in and around the top five, top six, I think Forest fans need to stop being surprised and to start realizing that this team should be there, and we have the potential to make Europe this season.

Absolutely. Wise words, mate. Wise words. All right, then. Give us a score prediction for tomorrow. No.

I said that earlier in the... Honestly, this is a coin toss. No result would surprise me.

What? So a 5-nil forest wouldn't surprise you?

Well, not the form Chris Wood's in.

He was still seven.

Most in-form striker on the planet, mate. So You have to be leaning towards Arsenal with home advantage, with the fact they are a wounded bear. You already talked about their form here the last five matches. Mikhel Artetia is going to be like a cat on a hot tin roof. Not to be mixing my animal euphemisms here. But anyway, but he is. He's going to be prowling up and down that touchline and barking out orders and anxious for Arsenal to secure the three points and expecting that they will. And I think most fans are probably expecting the Arsenal will edge this one. But I really don't know, Max. I mean, if Forrest come away with a point, I suppose I'll be happy. But I don't think it's beyond us to get all three. And that's all I'm prepared to say.

All right. Well, me being me, and I'll put myself on the line as a proper podcaster, I No offense, Mark. I will say- It's taken. Yeah. Do you know what? I said it the other week, didn't it? And it nearly worked. Jota Silver is going to score tomorrow. Honestly, we've just been talking about him. I genuinely think... I'm not saying he's going to start, but I think Jota Silver will score. I'm going to go 1-1, but I really would be tempted just to say 2-1 and Forest to snatch it late on. I honestly think Forest... I think this type of game works for Forest, the way Nuno is setting up at the minute, the way that... If we were going to whip Switch away tomorrow, I'd really, really, honestly, probably have less faith, genuinely. That's because Arsenal will be on the front foot. They're at home, as you've just said, Michal Arteta needs that win desperately, given given their recent form and injuries and staying in this title race, obviously, that Forest are in. So they've got to go for it. And by going for it, Forest can go, All right, cheers, Arsenal. We'll have that.

We won't have much of the ball, and then we can straight away go to the wide players. We've got Calimont, Cilladoy, Anthony Alanga, Jota Silva. Boom. Forest will win it 2-1. There you go.

My only concern, it would be nice if we could get a few more French, Spanish, and German internationals on the books, and maybe not internationals from the far flung corners of the world. Nuno has already referenced the fact that Barillo has had to come all the way back from South America, Chris Wood coming back from New Zealand. There's some real jet lag to deal with there, too. We talked about Forest, the break coming at the right time and Forest players being fresh, but we do have some players that have some miles on the clock, and hopefully that doesn't factor in. But I could see that, Max. I could see a 1-1 or a 2-1 in favor of Forest. Again, I think Arsenal have to be narrow favorites for most pundits. I think for Forest fans, though, we can be bullish. I think it's going to be a good game.

Absolutely. Looking forward to it. I hate international football.

Glad. I'm in the Harry Kane camp. I love it.

All right, then, Mark. We asked this question, actually, the other day. I went When I was working across Five Live, we asked, Club or country?

Why do you put me on the spot?

See, I don't mind answering- I'll say club straight away, you see.

The reason you have me on this podcast is because I'm full of opinions and I'm never shy in sharing them. But the problem with sharing opinions is there's always the prospect you're going to tick off at least half the audience. I know that most people listening to you and watching this are going to say club. It's not as straightforward for me as that. I love watching England. I absolutely love it. I love going to England games. Particularly, in recent years, they've given me so many good memories and some deaf ones as well. But yeah, I don't know. That, to me, is another coin toss. It depends on the day of the week and on the game. Would you rather watch Forest versus Southampton, or would you rather watch England versus Germany?

Probably Forest versus Southampton. See, youth versus old.

Oh, that's harsh.

Sorry, mate. It is actually. Sorry.

I'm not being there. We have to say before we go, shout out to Ryan Yates. Obviously, the news of him signing his contract extension isn't news at this point, but I read a fantastic piece in The Guardian today, and I apologize, I can't remember the journalist, but really good interview with Ryan Yates. Getting behind the scenes a little bit, his upbringing, coming through his time in his lone spouse, particularly Barro, and then a couple of other things he shares out around his views around nutrition and everything else. It was some really good insight and definitely worth a read to check that out if you get a chance, folks.

Yeah, I love to actually. It was his birthday yesterday, so happy I'd say to Ryan as well, or from everybody from the fan base. Yeah, absolutely.

He was a face to his name.

Yeah, of course. It wouldn't be... Go on.

Go on.

I was going to say it wouldn't be a Forest podcast without mentioning Ryan Yates, would it?

Ryan Yates or Trevor at this That's the point, I think, usually. But I do also because I know we're wrapping up here, I want to give a shout out because I'm actually going to be able to see half of the Forest game tomorrow. At least sat down in front of a TV, not being distracted. The second half, I'll be very much distracted because I'll be watching it on my phone as I sit in the Widener field Stadium in Colorado Springs, watching the Colorado Spring Switchbacks, Max, contest their first ever USL Championship final, and they're hosting it because they're the highest seed. So they're welcoming Rhode Island to Colorado Springs. Switchbacks been going for 10 whole years, Max, now. I mean, not steeped in the history that Forrest are, but 10 years, never gotten any silverware, won the West Conference last week. I was there, and I'm going to be there again tomorrow to see the switchbacks, hopefully win all the marbles and lift the USL Championship Trophy. And I will have Forrest on my phone at the same time, cheering on two teams simultaneously. So good luck, switchbacks.

Yes, good luck, the switchbacks. Don't leave early, Mark. Remember, stay to the final whistle, of course. Of course. Good luck. Right. That, I think, does us nicely. All these podcasts do take an interesting turn at times. But thanks as well for all the comments this week. I know we've been a bit quiet, so apologies for that. But we'll be back with our main episode, either Sunday or Monday, depending on everything, and then hopefully bringing you a few more episodes throughout next week as well. Also, fingers crossed, we'll have something special to release. Can't really talk about it, but hopefully in the next few days, that is coming. Look forward to sharing. Even Mark doesn't know, so it'll be a pleasant early Christmas surprise for him. Give us a like, share, and subscribe as always on YouTube. Thanks for those watching live and listening on Facebook and YouTube. Follow us across Spotify and Apple podcasts from me and Mark. Come on, you, Reds. You heard it here first. Jotter Silver is going to win it for Forest tomorrow. I said that last time. Come on, you, Reds.