Ola Aina of celebrates victory during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground in Nottingham. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest defender, Ola Aina, has chosen the toughest opposition he’s played against since he returned to the English Premier League, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old joined the Reds from Torino in the summer of 2023, and has been a regular at the City Ground, playing over half a century of games, chipping in with three goals and two assists while playing across several positions in the club’s backline.
Aina has been one of Forest’s best players this season, and in a recent interview, he spoke on the toughest opponents he’s faced in the English top-flight.
The former Chelsea defender compared the playing styles of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal before making his decision.
“They are both very direct but in different ways. Liverpool gets to the penalty area with two or three passes. It’s like playing basketball, you’re constantly running up and down the pitch.
“Arsenal look like they’re just passing to each other, but it’s all very deliberate in terms of finding depth. The Gunners are also very difficult to follow because of their constant changing positions on the pitch,” Aina said on the Inside Scoop Podcast.
“It is easier against City because you can breathe. They move from one side to the other, they pass the ball, and they are very patient. That is the biggest difference.
“For me personally? The hardest is against Arsenal. The games against them feel like very long days in the office,” the former Torino man concluded.