Postecoglou prepared for ‘strengthened’ Arsenal in first game in charge of Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

Ange Postecoglou believes Arsenal could be a tougher test this season than when he faced them with Tottenham in the previous campaign.

Postecoglou has been appointed as the new Nottingham Forest boss, replacing Nuno Espirito Santo just four months after he guided the Midlands side to their first European qualification in 30 years.

The new Forest boss was sacked by Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham last summer despite winning the Europa League, having finished 17th in the Premier League while losing 22 matches.

“From the first conversation I had with them (the Forest players), it was that we’ve got a game Saturday, boys, and nothing’s more important than that,” Postecoglou said.

“Everything else we’ve got to park, whatever it is that we may or may not be going through because the responsibility for me and the players and everyone involved is to make sure that come Saturday lunchtime we are absolutely ready for a big game.

“I haven’t tried to sort of expand on that too much. It’s what’s going to be our best preparation to take on one of the Premier League’s best.”

The Gunners have made a number of new signings this summer including Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, Noni Madueke from Chelsea, Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen, Christian Norgaard from Brentford, Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia, Kepa from Chelsea and finally Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.

“It is what it is.” Postecoglou said when asked about the difficulty of his first fixture in charge of Forest.

“My first four games are away so I got a good look at the stadium today because I won’t see it for a while.

“Every Premier League fixture is challenging. It will be a great game. Mikel has got them off to a good start and they’ve strengthened over the summer.”