Key Arsenal injury return has come at the perfect time, he’s already ‘seriously’ rattled Ange Postecoglou

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Arsenal will face a familiar foe on matchday four, with Ange Postecoglou set to be appointed Nottingham Forest manager.

Tottenham sacked Postecoglou after winning the Europa League, ending the 2024/25 season in 17th, just 13 points shy of relegation. 

Arsenal fans enjoyed what they saw the coach do to their North London rivals last term, making it quite fitting that the Australian is in line to take charge of Forest when the Tricky Trees visit the Emirates. 

A North London return is on the cards far sooner than expected for Postecoglou, a coach whom Mikel Arteta got the better of three times in four duels. 

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Ben White could cause Ange Postecoglou more problems after North London Derby complaint

Postecoglou was always wary of Arsenal, which was to be expected when he was the manager of Spurs.

What was also expected was that the niceties would be spared when the two clubs met in North London Derbies, which is exactly what happened when Arsenal travelled to N17 in April 2024. 

Arsenal won 3-2 after heading into the interval with a three-goal lead, with two of the goals being marginally influenced by Ben White. 

The Gunners benefited from two corners in that half, with Pierre Hojbjerg scoring an own goal, followed by Kai Havertz getting on the scoresheet. 

White was clearly instructed to evade Guillermo Vicario’s space when corners were lofted in, something he achieved by tugging on the Italian’s glove, something that Postecoglou wasn’t impressed with. 

Speaking after the game in his post-match press conference, Postecoglou suggested that he wouldn’t want his players to do what White did.

“I know it’s great theatre. Whether he [White] is trying to undo his glove, tickle his armpit or whatever, I don’t care. I try to get my players not to focus on that stuff.

“If you want to go down that ­avenue, what’s he [Vicario] ­supposed to do? Throw a punch and knock him out? Or say: ‘Please don’t touch me?’ What does that do?

“­Seriously, we’re not in the schoolyard. To be honest, if I saw one of my players do it, I’d be saying: ‘Mate, seriously? Get the ball and play some football.’”

White rattled Postecoglou’s Spurs that day, and could make himself a nuisance at the Emirates on matchday four. 

Perfect time for White to return from injury

Arsenal fans haven’t seen enough of the defender in recent months, as the 27-year-old continues to combat a series of injury woes.

Fortunately, White is set to return against Forest, which would be a huge boost for the Gunners, but not so much for Postecoglou.

It’s not only to taunt Postecoglou that the Englishman’s return is timely, but also considering that there’s a vacancy in central defence.

White could replace William Saliba and revive his partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes, though the £50m signing isn’t the only one in the running to do so.

If there’s one face Postecoglou won’t want to see at the Emirates based on past experiences, it’s White, who knows how to get under the Australian’s skin.