Premier League surprise package Nottingham Forest are sweating over the fitness of key defender Ola Aina ahead of the team’s visit to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. As per reports, the Nigerian defender picked up an injury on international duty for Nigeria, only to return to Nottingham to undergo treatment midway through the break.
Aina has been irreplaceable in Nuno Espirito Santo’s starting lineups this season as Forest are currently sat in an astonishing fifth place after 11 games. He played the entire 90 minutes in his team’s 3-1 defeat against Liverpool, and also played 83 minutes in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Benin before being subbed off.
However, Ola Aina withdrew from the national squad the following day after the match and returned to the City Ground, missing the Super Eagles’ 2-1 defeat against Rwanda at home. Now, with a big game against Arsenal coming up, Espirito Santo will hope his player is back in time.
What injury made Ola Aina withdraw from national duty?
Aina was subbed off late in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Benin and received the necessary treatment in the immediate aftermath of the match. However, the team’s interim coach Austin Eguavoen later revealed the reason why Ola Aina was recalled by Nottingham Forest. He said, “Before our match against Benin, I spoke with an official from Nottingham Forest and later received a message from Nuno, the manager, requesting Ola Aina’s release for the game against Arsenal.
“I agreed, given that we had alternative players and had already secured AFCON qualification.”
While the decision to sub the player off against Benin seems precautionary, the statement from coach Eguavoen basically confirms that Forest were protecting their player. A key member of the team, Aina has made 11 appearances for them this season, chipping-in with one goal as well.
It remains to be seen if he can make it back in time to face Arsenal.
