Arsenal were held to a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest amid a VAR controversy at the City Ground, missing out on a chance to extend their nine-point lead over Manchester City.
The Gunners looked to take advantage of second-placed City’s defeat in the Manchester derby, but could only increase their lead by one point against their well-organized hosts.
Gabriel Martinelli missed the biggest chance of the first half with a wasted shot wide of the target from just a few yards out. To thwart the Gunners in the second period, Forest needed Mats Sells to make a fine save from substitute Bukayo Saka’s header.
Arsenal’s frustration was compounded in the 80th minute when Ola Aina tried to save a corner for an apparent handball inside the Forest box, which was cleared after a VAR check.
Ola Aina’s apparent handball checked and cleared by VAR
According to Premier League Match Center, officials “deemed that the ball initially left Aina’s shoulder and that her arm was in a natural position.” Mikel Arteta felt it was a “clear penalty”, but Sean Dyche took a different view. “If I quit playing soccer, I might as well quit playing soccer,” he said.
Dyche’s side did not have a shot on target during the game, but defended tenaciously with the help of the outstanding Elliott Anderson, who held the midfield together well as the home side withstood prolonged pressure from Arsenal.
It was another frustrating game for Arsenal, following their goalless stalemate against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, where they failed to take full advantage of Manchester City’s missteps.
This is the first time Arsenal have held back-to-back goalless draws in the Premier League since the opening two games of the 2012-13 season against Sunderland and Stoke City.
Gabriel Martinelli missed a chance to put Arsenal ahead
Arteta’s side still have a healthy seven-point cushion over Pep Guardiola’s side, but you will feel the margin should be much bigger. Meanwhile, Forest can celebrate their hard-earned points by remaining five points clear of the relegation zone.
Dyche bullish on Arsenal’s penalty shout
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche told TNT Sports:
“Once these things start being given, we have to stop doing them. Who knows, but I think it’s ridiculous. We have to be careful with these things. If we’re going to give them that, we might as well cancel football.”
On Forest’s penalty appeal against Julian Timber: “How was our shot? It was just on the box line. They say it’s outside but he’s flying as fast as he can and getting into the box. He’s going to get there.”
On Forest’s performance: “You have to do the basics right, you have to have good form, you have to have good energy. Dedication to the cause, and it’s not easy. They are threats and can open themselves up in different ways.”
“The players performed very well against the top teams.”
Arteta: “That was a clear penalty”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports:
“We came here to win the game. In the end, we didn’t achieve that. Thanks to them and the coach, they always organize games that they want to provoke.”
“We knew that, but when we opened the scoring and had four big chances with Martinelli, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka, in the end we have to find the margin to win the game because again we haven’t conceded a single shot on target.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina compete for the ball
“We can’t forget a clear penalty. That was a clear penalty that was not given inside the penalty area. That was a margin.
“I saw it live, I saw it here, I saw it again now. He brings the ball in with his hands, which is very unnecessary.
“We have to learn and improve. It shows how difficult the league is. Win, win, win, no one wins. It’s very tough, especially in today’s situation. We have to get rid of them.”
Analysis: Arteta’s saka call comes under scrutiny after draw
Arteta has emphasized the importance of rotation as Arsenal compete in four different competitions. They have been playing tough games in four consecutive away games. However, it still seemed strange to see the most influential attacker on the bench.
The need for Saka was not obvious, given that he had only started two of Arsenal’s last four games. Especially considering the magnitude of the opportunity presented by Manchester City’s failure. Subsequent events at the City Ground brought this decision under further scrutiny.
Arsenal struggled until Arteta made a triple change early in the second half, after which Saka replaced Noni Maduke and looked the player most likely to break through. He almost scored, but Sels did his best to deny his header as it sailed into the corner.
A draw is never a disaster. Arsenal extended their lead at the top. However, Arsenal supporters are right to wonder if the result might have been different had Saka started the game instead of coming on late.
Stingy Arsenal – Opta Statistics
This is the fifth time Arsenal have failed to take a shot on target in a single Premier League game this season, the most in a single season (since 2003/04) and the most since Chelsea in 2020/21 (also five). Nottingham Forest have failed to score in 11 Premier League games this season, more than any other team. Despite being substituted at half-time, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli had the most shots (four) and the second-most touches inside the opposition box (six) in the match.
