Arsenal's faint title chances were dealt another blow as they were held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on February 26, 2025. The Gunners are now 13 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, making their pursuit of the Premier League title increasingly challenging.
Mikel Arteta's side struggled to convert dominant possession and multiple chances against the resolute Forest defense. Despite being the driving force on the pitch, they failed to break through, marking the second consecutive league game where they have not found the back of the net.
The match kicked off amid high stakes, with Arsenal desperately needing the win to stay within any reasonable distance of Liverpool at the top of the table. On the other side, Forest aimed to fortify their spot within the top four and continue their pursuit of Champions League football.
The first half saw Arsenal controlling play, yet it was Riccardo Calafiori's strike on the 23rd minute which came closest to producing goals. The Italian full-back unleashed a curling shot toward the bottom corner, only to see it crash against the post, leaving goalkeeper Matz Sels without hope of making a save. This was followed by several corners and attempts from Mikel Merino and Declan Rice, but none could breach Forest’s sturdy defense.
“It is disappointing to not get the three points, even though we dominated the game from start to finish. We lacked the final ball to generate something to open them up and have more shots on goal,” Arteta lamented after the match, reflecting the frustration of yet another missed opportunity.
While Arsenal created the bulk of chances, Nottingham Forest stayed compact and organized, rarely allowing the Gunners to penetrate their defensive line. Chris Wood, the Forest striker, posed the only real threat for the home side, coming close with attempts saved by Arsenal's David Raya.
The second half unfolded with Arsenal coming out stronger but struggling to break through the congested middle. Arteta brought on Kieran Tierney, hoping to bolster attack, but defensive solidity from Forest thwarted their advances. Leandro Trossard claimed they played well throughout but acknowledged, “we did not create enough. The effort is there, we try and try and try.”
Arsenal's frustrations continued as Mikel Merino forced Sels to make a sharp stop and Tierney narrowly missed with his header from yet another corner. Despite the visitors’ persistence, their inability to find the back of the net proved decisive.
Nottingham Forest's strategy centered around minimizing Arsenal's attacking threats. Nuno Espirito Santo remarked, “I see it as a good point because it was a tough game and Arsenal are such a good team.” This sentiment emphasized the satisfaction of the hosts at maintaining their position within the top echelon of the league.
Despite the draw being disappointing for Arsenal, it has kept them competitive albeit at the lower end of the title race, raising concerns about their current form and depth. The glaring absence of key forwards such as Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus due to injury highlighted the struggles the team has faced over recent weeks.
With both teams unable to score, the match ended with each side earning one point but leaving Arsenal with more questions than answers. Arsenal now faces PSV Eindhoven next Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, and it remains to be seen how Arteta’s side will react as they aim to salvage their season with consistent performance on multiple fronts.
For Nottingham Forest, the draw is tantamount to a moral victory, reinforcing their place among the upper ranks of the Premier League. The team hopes to maintain their form heading toward FA Cup action and subsequent league matches.