­Callum Hudson-Odoi proves the penny has finally dropped with Arsenal surprise

Nottingham Forest went toe-to-toe with Arsenal and while the 0-0 draw ended the Gunners title hopes, it didn’t hurt the Midlands side’s own European aspirations

Nottingham Forest are enjoying their best campaign in three decades – and the secret of their success is simple.

 

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side cannot carry any passengers.

For all of Chris Wood’s goals, Morgan Gibbs-White’s invention, and the twin peaks of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic at the back – they wouldn’t be dreaming in the East Midlands if it weren’t for discipline, doggedness, and defensive determination. That fact may have been lost on a teenage Callum Hudson-Odoi when he was part of a Chelsea squad that lifted the Champions League.

Following a meteoric start at Stamford Bridge, the winger’s star came plummeting to earth almost as quickly as it rocketed into the atmosphere.

He hasn’t spent a couple of years in the wilderness so much – although he was out of sight and mind at Bayer Leverkusen – but his career was at a crossroads when Forest offered him a lifeline. And it has taken a couple of seasons – but the penny has finally dropped.

Nuno sprang a surprise upon Mikel Arteta last night. He swapped his wingers around. It took just three minutes for stand-in left-back Riccardo Calafiori to haul Hudson-Odoi down and earn himself a booking.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had seen enough by the interval. Kieran Tierney was introduced from the bench. The Scot may not be flavour of the month at the Emirates – but he knows how to play left-back.

But what was more impressive about the former Under-17 World Cup winner with England wasn’t so much his industry going forward. He tracked back relentlessly. His work-rate was compelling. That’s not always been the case.