Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes took another hit on Wednesday as they failed to break down a resilient Nottingham Forest side in a frustrating 0-0 draw at the City Ground.
With a growing injury crisis limiting their attacking options, Mikel Arteta’s men managed just one shot on target, leaving them struggling to find a breakthrough. The result sees Arsenal cut Liverpool’s lead to 10 points, but the gap could widen to 13 if the Reds defeat Newcastle in their next fixture.
Injury Woes and Missed Chances
The absence of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz was evident, as Arsenal lacked creativity and firepower up front. Arteta persisted with Mikel Merino in a makeshift striker role, but the experiment once again fell flat after a disappointing 1-0 home loss to West Ham last weekend.
Defender Riccardo Calafiori came closest to scoring, rattling the inside of the post in the first half, while Merino forced a solid save from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels early in the second period.
Forest Hold Firm in Champions League Push
Despite Arsenal’s dominance in possession, Forest posed little attacking threat, with their best chance falling to Chris Wood in the 70th minute. However, his tame effort was comfortably saved by David Raya.
While the draw extends Forest’s winless run, it keeps them in third place, just ahead of defending champions Manchester City, boosting their hopes of securing Champions League football for the first time since their European Cup campaign in 1980.
For Arsenal, the frustration mounts as they drop more crucial points, leaving their title ambitions hanging by a thread.
