Arsenal has been in stunning form this season, leading many to believe they are the strongest team in the Premier League. With Mikel Arteta’s tactical brilliance and a squad brimming with quality, the Gunners are showing signs of being serious contenders for silverware. However, Nottingham Forest’s coach, Nuno Espírito Santo, has highlighted one major issue that could derail their hopes of lifting the Champions League trophy.
The Portuguese tactician, who has had his fair share of battles with Arsenal during his time managing Wolves, Tottenham, and now Forest, believes the North London side is the most dominant team in England right now. But despite their strength, he insists they must solve a crucial problem if they are to conquer Europe.
According to Nuno, Arsenal’s biggest issue lies in their lack of decisive experience on the grandest stage. While the Gunners have improved massively under Arteta, the squad still lacks players who have won the Champions League or thrived in the latter stages of the tournament. Unlike clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or even Manchester City, Arsenal’s key players are yet to prove themselves in crunch UCL knockout ties.
The former Spurs boss pointed out that teams like Madrid or City have players who have “been there, done that” when it comes to handling pressure in Europe. Arsenal, on the other hand, still relies on a young core that is growing but may struggle when the going gets tough against Europe’s elite. He warned that without addressing this issue, they could fall short when it matters most.
Despite this criticism, Nuno was full of praise for Arsenal’s style of play. He acknowledged their defensive solidity, midfield control, and attacking prowess, all of which make them the strongest team in England at the moment. However, he emphasized that talent alone won’t be enough to secure Champions League glory. Arsenal needs players with the mentality and experience to navigate the knockout rounds against Europe’s finest.
This assessment from the Nottingham Forest boss has sparked debate among football fans. Many Arsenal supporters argue that the Gunners’ young stars—like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Declan Rice—are more than capable of handling the pressure. Others believe the club should add experienced European campaigners to their squad to improve their chances of winning the competition.
With Arsenal’s Champions League campaign in full swing, Arteta will be keen to prove critics wrong and show that his team is ready for the ultimate test. Can the Gunners rise above this challenge and make history in Europe? Only time will tell.