Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as frustrated Gunners drop points in title race
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal: The points were shared at the City Ground
Arsenal and Nottingham Forest played out an entertaining draw at the City Ground in their top of the table Premier League clash.
Both teams were hoping to secure three points, Arsenal to close the gap on Liverpool, Forest to remain on target for a top four finish but they came away with a point each.
Arsenal again rued their lack of a frontline striker as Riccardo Calafiori came closest to breaking the deadlock with a blistering shot in the first half that struck the woodwork. Though Mikel Arteta’s men dominated possession Matz Sels was only called on a few times and the Forest goalkeeper was up to the task of denying Mikel Merino’s headed effort.
Forest’s best chance fell to in-form striker Chris Wood. Morgan Gibbs-White controlled an aerial ball, spun and slipped him in but Wood’s effort couldn’t beat David Raya.
Both defences were on top form as the result was a fair one even if it means the Gunners fall further behind Liverpool in the title race.
Relive the updates from the City Ground here:
Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to ‘step up’ as focus switches to Champions League
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told his players to “step up” after their Premier League season continued to fizzle out with a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest.
Arteta said ahead of kick off that his side would concede the title “over my dead body” but he may have to accept that their challenge has died a death after this stalemate, which came four days after a home defeat to West Ham.
The toothless Gunners, playing without a recognised striker, managed just one shot on target at the City Ground, with Riccardo Calafiori also hitting the post in the first half.
They are now 13 points behind champions-elect Liverpool and with a severe lack of attacking options, it would take some turnaround for them to leapfrog Arne Slot’s relentless side.
Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to ‘step up’ as focus switches to Champions League
Martin Keown reacting to Arsenal draw:
“It didn't happen for Arsenal tonight because they had Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino and a teenager in Ethan Nwaneri playing as the front three and that has crippled the team.
“Throughout the team they looked solid, defended really well and it was a solid contest.
“They took the game to Forest with 65% possession but they could not find the solutions at the top of the team, but I think with the options that they have been left to pick from that is no surprise in the end.”
Full-time! Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
90+5 mins: No goals at the City Ground.
The points are shared and it seems as though Arsenal will drop further behind Liverpool in the title race.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
88 mins: Forest are pressing for the winner. They win a corner but Arsenal clear.
It’s going to finish goalless.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
85 mins: Save!
What a move. Quick passes send Zinchenko in behind the lines and he pulls the ball back to Odegaard.
The Arsenal captain shoots and beats the keeper but Murillo clears the ball off the line.
It comes back to Odegaard who has another go but Sels denies him this time.
It wouldn’t have mattered though as Zinchenko was offside in the build up.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
83 mins: Forest have a bit of momentum and there is certainly belief that they can go on to win this game.
Arsenal seem the more nervous.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
81 mins: Into the last 10 minutes now. Murillo fizzes a free kick into the final third and Milenkovic is punished for a foul over on the far side of the box.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
78 mins: Callum Hudson-Odoi is on free kick duty. He flicks the ball into the box but Merino wins the initial ball and Rice completes the clearance.
Odegaard takes a knock on the back of the head and Arsenal are awarded a free kick of their own.
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