Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito has described Taiwo Awoniyi’s return to action as a “positive”.
The Nigerian forward made his first appearance in two months in Tuesday night’s 2-1 Premier League loss at home to Arsenal, coming off the bench for Chris Wood and scored the consolation goal late it in game.
Awoniyi had been out with a recurring groin injury while on international duty in November and Espirito Santo asserted that the few minutes he got against the Gunners will get him in good shape along with other players returning from injury.
“It is definitely a positive to have him back. It was not our plan to play him for so many minutes because he has just had two or three sessions with the team. But unfortunately due to the situation with Chris (Wood), we decided to put him in,” the Sao Tome and Principe-born tactician said.
“It is a positive that he played. He had minutes, he scored, he worked.
“It was the same with Anthony (Elanga). The idea was to get him back in the game and get good feelings.
“It is important for us to have as many options as we can. It is especially important having two strikers available because it is fundamental for our game.
“Taiwo had two training sessions. Anthony had one training session. Felipe had one training session. It was our decision to bring them back into the group just to be around (the team), not to give them as many minutes as we did. They were not inside the plan.”
Back amongst the goals straight away ???? pic.twitter.com/2gSsJ4l8Fg
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 31, 2024
Awoniyi also scored in the reverse Premier League fixture and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described him as a “dangerous player”.
“He is a real threat and obviously with a deep block they defend, when there are spaces behind you, he manages to take the first touch, he is a really dangerous player,” Arteta said.
“He managed to score at the Emirates and he scored again tonight.”
Awoniyi has now scored five league goals this season and will be looking to get into goalscoring act again when Forest travel to Bournemouth on Sunday.
