Arsenal can’t take a gift – after Man City’s slip-up, Gunners come up empty against Forest

If Mikel Arteta has to know one thing, it’s that Manchester City won’t keep dropping points forever, and eventually Pep Guardiola’s machine will fire back into gear. Until then, the Gunners should make the most of any slip in City’s form to pull further ahead in the title race. Yet, Arsenal failed to do so again today. After City’s loss to their local rivals, Arsenal had a golden opportunity against Nottingham Forest, but on the pitch, it amounted to nothing—0–0.

The first half between Nottingham and Arsenal was cagey, with both sides struggling to find a rhythm. The first real chance came in the 12th minute when Nottingham attacked down the left. The ball fell to Dominguez, who fired a shot, but it was blocked at the last moment by Arsenal’s defense.

The opening 20 minutes had been low on intensity, with few clear opportunities. Arsenal had a speculative attempt in the 20th minute as Ben White shot from a difficult position, but his effort went straight into the arms of the Nottingham goalkeeper.

Arsenal’s best chance of the half came in the 29th minute. After a shot from Madueke deflected in the box, the ball fell to Gabriel Martinelli, who, from literally three meters out, somehow missed the goal entirely, squandering a golden opportunity.

Just before halftime, Arsenal went close again. Victor Gyokeres capitalized on a Murillo mistake and broke toward the Nottingham goal, but the defender recovered superbly, blocking the Swedish forward’s attempt with a brilliant intervention to keep the score level.

The second half at the City Ground saw Arsenal trying to break down Nottingham, but chances were few and far between for long periods. The first real effort on goal came in the 59th minute when Declan Rice volleyed towards the net, but Nottingham’s goalkeeper Sels was alert and managed to push the ball behind for a corner.

Six minutes later, Arsenal came even closer. Rice delivered a precise cross into the box, which Saka met with a header, only for Sels to react like a cat and make an outstanding save to keep the score level. Just five minutes after that, Sels was at it again—Merino fired from distance, and in the final moment, the Nottingham keeper blocked the ball away from Gabriel Jesus, denying the striker a golden chance.

Arsenal’s frustration continued into the 80th minute when a clear handball by Ola Aina inside his own box sparked a long VAR review. Michael Oliver and his assistants checked the footage thoroughly, but in the end, no penalty was awarded, leaving the score unchanged and Arsenal still searching for a breakthrough.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 22

Saturday

Man. United - Man. City 2-0 (0-0)

/Mbuemo 65, Dorgu 76/

Chelsea - Brentford 2-0 (1-0)

/Pedro 26, Palmer 76 pen/

Leeds - Fulham 1-0 (0-0)

/Nmecha 90+1/

Liverpool - Burnley 1-1 (1-0)

/Wirtz 42 - Edwards 65/

Sunderland - Crystal Palace 2-1 (1-1)

/Le Fee 33, Brobbey 71 - Pino 30/

Tottenham - West Ham 1-2 (0-1)

/Romero 64 - Summerville 15, Wilson 90+3/

Nott. Forest - Arsenal 0-0

Sunday

17.00: (4.80) Wolverhampton (4.00) Newcastle (1.75)

19.30: (1.70) Aston Villa (4.00) Everton (5.30)

Monday

23.00: (1.90) Brighton (3.80) Bournemouth (4.20)

***odds are subject to change***