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By Ebenezer Bajela
Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi has been ruled out of Nottingham Forest’s Premier League clash against Arsenal on Saturday (today), according to manager, Steve Cooper.
The striker recently resumed training after recovering from an ankle injury and was a major doubt for the first game of the 2023/24 season against the Gunners.
Forest begin their second season in the top-flight with a trip to North London, having beat the Gunners to secure Premier League status in the penultimate game of last season.
A 5-0 drubbing of Forest in North London soon paled into insignificance when the Gunners travelled to the City Ground in May, as Steve Cooper’s side consigned Arsenal to a second-placed finish while deservedly retaining their Premier League status thanks to one of the most important goals that Awoniyi will ever score in his career.
Unfortunately, the Nigerian will not be available for the clash against the Community Shield winners after Cooper in his press conference ahead of his side’s trip to the Emirates Stadium confirmed Awoniyi won’t be part of his squad for the game.
“Felipe, for sure. Moussa is just about returning to training, and so is Taiwo, so the game probably comes too soon for them,” the Welsh tactician was quoted by NottinghamshireLive.
Awoniyi was the club’s top scorer in the Premier League last season with 10 goals.
His international teammates, Ola Aina and Emmanuel Dennis are however available for the game.