ARSENAL STUMBLE AT THE CITY GROUND AS TITLE MOMENTUM STALLS IN FOREST STALEMATE
A frustrating afternoon at the City Ground saw Arsenal squander a golden opportunity to tighten their grip on the Premier League summit, held to a 0-0 draw by a resolute Nottingham Forest. In a match defined by missed chances and uncharacteristic lethargy, the Gunners failed to capitalise on Manchester City’s earlier defeat, leaving the title race more open than they would have liked.
Mikel Arteta’s side, usually so fluid, found themselves bogged down against a Forest team fighting for survival. The game’s decisive moments fell to Arsenal’s attackers, but both Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres failed to convert when presented with clear openings. Martinelli skewed a close-range effort wide in the first half, while Gyokeres was uncharacteristically hesitant after a defensive error gifted him a clear path to goal.
The second half saw Arsenal increase the pressure but not the precision. Substitute Bukayo Saka’s powerful header seemed destined for the net, only for Forest keeper Matz Sels to produce a stunning, full-stretch save. Mikel Merino later glanced a header just wide from a Declan Rice delivery, and late penalty appeals for a possible Ola Aina handball were waved away. Ultimately, Arsenal lacked their usual cutting edge, relying heavily on set-pieces without ever truly breaking down a disciplined Forest block.
The result extends Arsenal’s lead to seven points over City and Aston Villa, but with Villa holding a game in hand, the dropped points feel like a significant stumble in the marathon title race.
Arsenal Player Ratings: City Ground Frustration
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (6/10): Largely a spectator, but had one nervy first-half moment where he nearly gifted Forest a chance. Redeemed by a clean sheet.
Ben White (6/10): Engaged in a tough, physical battle with Callum Hudson-Odoi all afternoon. Stood firm defensively but offered limited attacking overlap.
William Saliba (7/10): A composed and commanding presence. Dealt effortlessly with Forest’s limited offensive threats, forming an impenetrable wall with his partner.
Gabriel Magalhães (7/10): Continued his exceptional run of form. Dominant in the air and calm in possession, ensuring Arsenal’s defensive foundation remained solid.
Jurriën Timber (5/10): Looked uncomfortable on the left flank. His usually reliable passing and first touch were off, disrupting Arsenal’s build-up play from the back.
Midfield
Declan Rice (7/10): The engine in the centre. Provided defensive cover and was the source of Arsenal’s most dangerous moments, particularly with his pinpoint crosses from deep.
Martín Zubimendi (6/10): Found the midfield battle more congested than usual. Struggled to dictate tempo against the energetic Anderson and was less influential than in recent weeks.
Martin Ødegaard (5/10): A surprisingly quiet day for the captain. Unable to find the pockets of space he thrives in, and his creative influence was largely muted by Forest’s compact shape.
Attack
Noni Madueke (6/10): Showed flashes of direct running and delivered a few dangerous crosses before his early substitution. His tendency to over-dwell on the ball sometimes broke the attacking rhythm.
Viktor Gyokeres (4/10): A poor performance by his high standards. Botched a critical one-on-one opportunity and was generally sluggish, failing to hold the ball up or link play effectively.
Gabriel Martinelli (4/10): Guilty of wasting the game’s clearest chance. Was also physically matched by Ola Aina and failed to provide his typical explosive threat on the left wing.
Substitutes & Manager
Leandro Trossard (5/10): Unusually ineffective after coming on. Failed to make his customary impact off the bench.
Mikel Merino (6/10): Added immediate energy and physicality to the midfield. Went close with a clever headed chance.
Bukayo Saka (7/10): Arsenal’s most dangerous player after his introduction. Forced a world-class save and injected much-needed urgency down the right.
Gabriel Jesus (6/10): Worked tirelessly but to little avail against a deep, packed defence.
Eberechi Eze (5/10): Saw little of the ball and failed to get into the game during his brief cameo.
Mikel Arteta (6/10): His changes improved Arsenal’s threat, particularly with Saka’s introduction.
