Premier League
New York Times asks: How good is Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina?
BY PAUL TAYLOR
When Ola Aina was drafted in to help open a new sports pitch at a Nottingham school before Christmas, the defender ensured dozens of pupils went home with memories they will treasure.
While his Nottingham Forest team-mate Anthony Elanga was whisked away to conduct a media interview after the ceremony, Aina happily stayed and spent 20 minutes having a friendly kick-around with the kids at the Chetwynd Spencer Academy in Toton.
When Forest win at the City Ground, Aina and Callum Hudson-Odoi are often the last players to make their way off the pitch and down the tunnel. Normally, they dance their way back to the dressing room.
When Hudson-Odoi picked up a minor injury in the final stages of the recent 1-0 win over Tottenham, Aina carried him off the pitch and down the tunnel on his back, all while still attempting a vague dance.
After scoring a spectacular goal from the edge of the box in the 3-0 win over West Ham in November, Aina admitted afterwards he had only struck the shot because he was tired. “I was knackered, so I thought I might as well hit it,” he told Optus Sport, all while sipping on a carton of fruit juice, through a straw.
All of which inspired the recently unveiled terrace chant that Forest fans have conjured up for the defender: ‘Ola Aina, Ola Aina, he drinks Ribena, scores a screamer, Forest are magic…’
To add to his buoyant personality, Aina is also a very good player, so it is no surprise he has gradually become something of a cult figure.
Much has been made of the money Forest have spent in the transfer market since they were promoted from the Championship in 2022. There have been some clever investments — including Nikola Milenkovic and Elliot Anderson, who have become key figures since joining last summer. But among the best deals in recent years has to be the capture of Aina as a free agent following the end of his contract at Torino in July 2023.
Tomorrow, the visit of Liverpool will see Arne Slot’s side arrive with Trent Alexander-Arnold, a player who has almost reinvented what it means to play at right-back. Alexander-Arnold has been the subject of frequent links to Real Madrid, whose inquiries about a January move were rejected by Liverpool. But there is a reason why the Spanish giants are keen. In 336 appearances for his boyhood club, Alexander-Arnold has established himself as an integral figure.
While they are very different players, Aina has also evolved into a vastly important cog in the machine under Nuno Espirito Santo. More than that, within 40 Premier League starts and two sub appearances for Forest, Aina has become one of the best-performing right-backs in the top flight.
In the build-up to the game, Slot acknowledged that Forest deserves to be talked about as title challengers. In the same vein, Aina has shown he deserves to mix with the elite — there cannot be many full-backs who are performing at a higher level than the Chelsea academy product.
Like his Liverpool counterpart, Aina is out of contract in the summer. Unlike Alexander-Arnold, he is unlikely to have the option of walking away for nothing. There is a clause in his deal that will see it extended to the end of the 2025-26 season, which will be activated if he reaches a certain number of appearances — a mark he is very close to already.
In the meantime, Forest are also keen to agree a longer contract with the Nigeria international and negotiations continue. Whatever happens, he will almost certainly remain a Forest player beyond this season, which will be good news for Nuno (and for sales of Ribena in Nottingham).
“He has been good. Very good. Last season was difficult for him, because he was distracted by a few physical issues. He still finished last season really well and this season he has been doing fantastically well for the team,” said Nuno when asked about Aina in his pre-match press conference. “His performance levels are fantastic.”
Defensively, Aina’s stats are better than Alexander-Arnold’s. Aina’s “true” tackle win rate (which accounts for tackles plus challenges lost and fouls committed) is 67 per cent this season — better than Alexander-Arnold’s 58. Similarly, Alexander-Arnold has been dribbled past on 41 per cent of the occasions he was taken on, while Aina’s figure is 25.
Aina is a more solid, consistent defender, although that is also within a Forest side that adopt a deeper defensive block, which contrasts with Liverpool’s higher defensive line.
Creatively, Alexander-Arnold is — unsurprisingly — streets ahead of Aina. But probably almost every other defender too. The 1.7 open-play chances he creates far exceeds Aina’s 0.27 per 90 minutes, with an expected assists (xG) per 90 of 0.35 compared with Aina’s 0.03 per 90.
But Aina’s most valuable quality to Forest is his ability to turn defence into attack: on a very basic level, to advance Forest up the pitch.
Aina has completed 80 carries after a defensive action this season, the most of any Premier League player. On top of that, 23 per cent of his carries are progressive, the second-highest proportion among full-backs in the division (behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka).
“That (his ability to carry the ball out of defence) is one of the characteristics we like. But defensively he is also very solid,” added Nuno.
Only Moises Caicedo and Ryan Christie have made more ball recoveries than Aina (who averages 6.13 per 90 minutes) this season in the Premier League.
Speed is also important. As revealed in a recent interview with The Athletic, Elanga regards himself as being the fastest player at Forest. But Aina is not far behind. The rivalry between the two players on that front is a friendly one. Aina is an influential, positive figure and a popular team-mate.
“He is a fantastic character,” Nuno said. “We have a good group of players — a very good group of people and characters. They enjoy being together and working together. Ola is very much one of those.”
If Forest beat Liverpool at the City Ground, they will equal their club record of seven consecutive league wins, which was set in 1922. They would also move to within three points of the league leaders.
Whatever happens, it has already been a remarkable journey — and one that Aina has been one of the leading characters in. Getting him tied down to a new deal would qualify as another astute piece of business.
–New York Times; Additional reporting: Thom Harris and Mark Carey
(Top photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Premier League
Arsenal Paint London Red with Premier League Victory Parade Despite Champions League Heartbreak
Thousands of jubilant Arsenal supporters flooded the streets of north London on Sunday as the club celebrated its first Premier League title in 22 years, putting aside the disappointment of losing the UEFA Champions League final just 24 hours earlier.
The celebrations came less than a day after Arsenal suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest. Yet the setback did little to dampen the spirits of the club’s faithful, who turned out in huge numbers to honour a historic domestic triumph.
Players and coaching staff paraded through north London aboard an open-top bus, proudly displaying the Premier League trophy that Arsenal had finally reclaimed for the first time since Arsène Wenger’s legendary “Invincibles” side lifted it in the 2003-04 season.
Arsenal had wrapped up the title before the final round of fixtures after establishing an unassailable lead over defending champions Manchester City, who eventually finished seven points adrift of Mikel Arteta’s side.
The league crown marked Arsenal’s first major trophy since Arteta guided the club to FA Cup success in 2020 during his debut season as manager. It also ended years of frustration after the Gunners had finished runners-up in the Premier League in each of the previous three seasons.
Red flares, fireworks and the sound of vuvuzelas filled the air as supporters celebrated a long-awaited return to the summit of English football.
“We’re not European champions, but we are champions of England, and that’s what matters right now,” said Arsenal supporter Julien Guillenenat. “We’re happy to celebrate with everyone.”
Another fan, 44-year-old Mathieu Garnier, believes the Premier League triumph has finally removed the psychological burden that had weighed heavily on the team.
“Three years in a row we finished second, and now that pressure is gone,” he said. “These players are going to be flying next season. I really believe that.”
Adding to the festivities was Arsenal’s women’s team, who joined the celebrations after their successful FIFA Champions Cup campaign this season.
Midfielder Declan Rice, signed from West Ham United in 2023 for a club-record £105 million, said the title triumph had silenced many of the club’s critics.
“People were pointing and laughing at us before,” Rice told Sky Sports. “What happened? They’re not laughing anymore. I love this team, I love this manager, and to see the joy we’ve brought to the fans is incredible.
“Next season we’re coming back for more.”
Despite the pain of falling short in Europe, many Arsenal supporters remain optimistic that the club will soon challenge again for continental glory.
Twenty-two-year-old fan Theo Grant believes the Champions League disappointment will only strengthen the squad’s resolve.
“Honestly, this loss will give the players even more motivation,” he said. “We’ll be back. I believe we’ll reach the final again next season.”
For Arsenal supporters, however, Sunday was not about what might have been in Europe. It was about celebrating the end of a 22-year wait to be crowned champions of England once again.
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Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-1 at Chelsea on Tuesday and still face the risk of relegation from the Premier League in their final game of the season this weekend after goals either side of halftime from the home side’s Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos.
Fernandez let rip with a dipping shot from over 25 metres that Antonin Kinsky could not get close to in the 18th minute, electrifying the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge as the home fans revelled in the misery of their North London rivals.
The Argentina midfielder turned provider for Chelsea’s second goal in the 67th, cushioning a high ball into the feet of Santos, who scored from close range.
Richarlison got one back for Spurs in the 74th minute, but the defeat means Tottenham remain two points above West Ham United, who currently occupy the last relegation spot.
However, Spurs have a much better goal difference, meaning a draw at home to Everton on Sunday would all but guarantee their Premier League survival.
Chelsea, fresh from announcing former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso as their next manager after a limp 2025/26 campaign, climbed to eighth place, which offers a berth in the UEFA Conference League next season
The Blues, who lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, are one point behind Brighton & Hove Albion, who currently occupy the last of the Europa League spots.
Spurs had only themselves to blame for Tuesday’s defeat.
After Mathys Tel hit the post with a header in the 11th minute, they allowed Chelsea to dominate until Richarlison’s goal raised their hopes of rescuing the point they needed.
Substitute James Maddison looked sure to equalise in the 84th, but Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato stretched out a leg to block his angled shot.
The win was Chelsea’s first in the Premier League since March 4, giving their fans something to celebrate after a miserable run that included six consecutive league defeats.
It also means Spurs have only won once at Stamford Bridge since 1990.
-Reuters
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Arsenal F.C. have been crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City F.C. were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Bournemouth, ending the most dramatic title race of recent seasons and completing a remarkable transformation under manager Mikel Arteta.
The title triumph marks Arsenal’s first league championship since the legendary “Invincibles” side led by Arsène Wenger went unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 campaign.
For Arteta, it represents the crowning moment of a rebuilding project that began when he replaced Unai Emery in December 2019. The Spaniard inherited a struggling Arsenal side but gradually rebuilt the club into genuine title contenders, guiding them to second-place finishes in each of the previous three seasons before finally ending Manchester City’s dominance.
Arsenal appeared in danger of suffering another late collapse after surrendering a nine-point lead earlier in the campaign, particularly following City’s crucial victory over them at the Etihad Stadium in April.
However, the momentum shifted again when City stumbled with a draw against Everton, allowing Arsenal to seize control of the race.
The North London club responded impressively, winning four consecutive matches without conceding a goal, including Monday’s tense 1-0 victory over Burnley F.C. that piled pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side heading into their trip to Bournemouth.
City’s failure to secure victory finally confirmed Arsenal as champions, triggering emotional celebrations among supporters gathered around the Emirates Stadium.
Fans watching the decisive match in nearby pubs poured onto the streets at the final whistle, while thousands more marched toward the Emirates within minutes of the title being secured.
Arteta had admitted before the match that he expected it to be difficult watching City’s game because of the enormous stakes involved, but the Spaniard ultimately witnessed the completion of one of the most significant managerial achievements in modern Arsenal history.
The Gunners will officially receive the Premier League trophy after their final game of the season against Crystal Palace F.C. at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Arsenal’s triumph could yet become part of an even greater achievement.
The club now have the opportunity to complete a historic double when they face Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the UEFA Champions League final on May 30.
Only five English clubs have previously managed to win both the league title and the European Cup in the same season, with Manchester City the last side to achieve the feat in 2023.
The title success also signals a changing of the guard in English football.
With Guardiola expected to leave Manchester City after a decade in charge, Arteta — once his assistant at City — is poised to become the longest-serving manager across England’s top four divisions, underlining how dramatically his status has risen since arriving at Arsenal less than seven years ago.
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