Gunners Miss Chance to Pull Clear as Gritty Forest Earn Vital Point
Arsenal’s advantage at the top of the Premier League grew to seven points on Saturday, but manager Mikel Arteta was left to rue a missed opportunity after his side were held to a 0-0 draw by a stubborn Nottingham Forest.
The stage was set for a statement victory after Manchester City’s earlier loss, offering the Gunners a chance to surge nine points clear. Instead, they found themselves repeatedly frustrated by Forest’s dogged defense and their own lack of a finishing touch at the City Ground.
“We came here to win the game, and again, we haven’t managed to do that,” a visibly disappointed Arteta told reporters. He pointed to a handful of golden opportunities, including a close-range miss by Gabriel Martinelli and late chances for Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. “You have to find the margin to win the game… credit to them, the manner that they are organised.”
Forest’s disciplined performance, which saw them prevent a single Arsenal shot on target, was a testament to their resilience under manager Sean Dyche. The home side also survived a late penalty scare when a VAR review judged that the ball had struck defender Ola Aina’s arm without foul play.
A buoyant Dyche praised his team’s effort. “I would be very, very disappointed if that was given,” he said of the penalty call, adding, “There’s a lot of good work done now… but there is more to come.” The point lifts Forest five clear of the relegation zone, a significant step in their survival bid.
For Arsenal, the result extends their unbeaten run but carries a hint of frustration. While their title destiny remains firmly in their own hands, this was a clear reminder that the path to a first league crown in 22 years will be filled with challenging hurdles like the one Forest presented.
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