In Focus: Awoniyi set for another big season at Forest

Taiwo Awoniyi got his season off to the perfect start last Saturday. 

The striker was on the scoresheet in the second half of Nottingham Forest's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, making an intelligent run to latch on to Anthony Elanga's cut-back. 

Awoniyi climbed off the bench to make an impact as the visitors pushed last season's Premier League runners-up all the way at the Emirates. 

And the Nigerian, 26, may be drafted into Steve Cooper's XI against Sheffield United tonight as Forest look to get off the mark in 2023-24. 

Scoring start

Awoniyi was given just 19 minutes against Arsenal but his goal prevented Mikel Arteta's men from enjoying a comfortable end to the game. 

His involvement was limited, registering one shot, three passes and 11 touches, but he did exactly what Cooper would have wanted. 

That goalscoring instinct could be important for Forest as they look to retain their top-flight status for a second successive season.

Clinical goalscorer

Cooper will be hoping his £17.5million striker can stay injury-free.

He was unable to start against Arsenal because of an ankle problem and missed several weeks of last season. 

But he has still become a key player for Forest, with his manager waxing lyrical about his clinical finishing. 

Speaking last term, Cooper said: "Through becoming a Premier League team, we've sometimes struggled to score goals and create chances. 

"It's not as if he's had loads of chances to score goals. I'm sure his scoring-to-chance ratio is quite high. 

"We're pleased with him. In the Premier League, you always need a player who is going to score goals. 

"He's shown he can do that. Let's hope he can work hard to take that on next season."

Top scorer

Awoniyi was Forest’s top scorer last season, netting 10 league goals. 

He reached that tally despite recording an xG of just 6.94, an indication that he is an accomplished finisher and could score more in a team creating more chances. 

Only four players in the division — Harry Kane, Roberto Firmino, Callum Wilson and Erling Haaland — scored more goals per 90 minutes than Awoniyi in 2022-23 (0.64). 

Awoniyi netted 15 goals for Union Berlin in the Bundesliga the season before his move to Forest in June 2022 and the signs suggest he could become a reliable goalscorer at the top level.

Sensational development

Despite never kicking a ball in a senior competitive match during his time at Liverpool, Awoniyi has made an impression on Jurgen Klopp. 

After the forward scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over the Reds at the City Ground last season, Klopp was left singing his praises. 

He said: "[Awoniyi has] had a sensational development. He has arrived where he belongs and I am happy for him — but not today so much!" 

Positives

Forest may have lost at Arsenal but there were plenty of positives to take from their second-half performance. 

Cooper's side created two big chances and looked a threat on the counter-attack, particularly when Anthony Elanga and Awoniyi were introduced. 

With Awoniyi potentially involved from the start against the Blades, Forest will be aiming to produce a similar display and record their first win of the season.