In a match that further dented Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations, the Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on February 26, 2025. This result leaves Arsenal trailing league leaders Liverpool by 13 points, a gap that seems increasingly insurmountable as the season progresses.
Arsenal entered the fixture aiming to rebound from a recent 1-0 defeat to West Ham United. However, their attacking lineup was significantly weakened due to injuries to key forwards, including Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus. This forced manager Mikel Arteta to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino in a makeshift striker role, a strategy that yielded limited success. Despite dominating possession, the Gunners managed only one shot on target throughout the match.
The first half saw left-back Riccardo Calafiori come closest to breaking the deadlock for Arsenal. In the 24th minute, he unleashed a right-footed shot that struck the inside of the post but failed to find the net. Calafiori’s performance was a mix of offensive threat and defensive vulnerability; he received an early booking and was involved in a contentious moment when Callum Hudson-Odoi appeared to be impeded in the box, though no penalty was awarded. To mitigate the risk of a second yellow card, Calafiori was substituted at halftime, with Kieran Tierney taking his place.
Nottingham Forest, positioned third in the league standings, showcased a resilient defensive performance. Central defender Murillo was particularly instrumental in thwarting Arsenal’s advances, contributing to Forest’s ability to secure a valuable point. While Forest’s offensive opportunities were limited, they did pose occasional threats on the counterattack, with Chris Wood forcing a routine save from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya in the second half.
The draw not only hampers Arsenal’s pursuit of the title but also highlights their recent struggles in front of goal. This stalemate marks the second consecutive match in which the Gunners have failed to score, following the loss to West Ham. Manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating, “We dominated the game. We tried in many different ways. We insisted but lacked that spark, that final pass to unlock a well-organized team. We have to generate more shots on target.”
As the season enters its final phase, Arsenal faces an uphill battle to close the gap on Liverpool. Their next challenge lies in the Champions League, with an upcoming Round of 16 tie against PSV Eindhoven. For Nottingham Forest, the draw bolsters their ambitions for European qualification, as they remain six points behind Arsenal, keeping their hopes for Champions League football alive.
