Arsenal missed a golden opportunity to exert a stranglehold on the Premier League title race, playing out a frustrating 0–0 draw against a resilient Nottingham Forest side.
Despite Manchester City’s defeat in the Manchester derby earlier that day, the Gunners were unable to find a breakthrough at the City Ground, leaving them seven points clear at the summit instead of nine.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated possession but struggled to dismantle Sean Dyche’s organized defensive block.
While the clean sheet marks a solid defensive outing, back-to-back goalless draws suggest a sudden lack of clinical edge in a squad that had previously been free-scoring.
Arsenal Player Ratings (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya — 7
The Spaniard had a largely spectator-like role for most of the evening as Forest failed to register a single shot on target. He was alert to sweep up behind his high defensive line, though one adventurous charge out of his box to challenge Igor Jesus briefly sent hearts into mouths.
RB: Ben White — 7
White provided a constant outlet on the right, often pushing high to allow Noni Madueke to drift inward. While he was secure defensively and rarely troubled by Forest’s wingers, he lacked the incisive final ball required to break the deadlock during Arsenal’s sustained periods of pressure.
CB: William Saliba — 7
It was another composed outing for the Frenchman, who handled the physical challenge of Igor Jesus with ease. He led the team in recovery challenges and attempted to spark attacks from deep late in the game, though the rugged Forest shape limited his passing lanes.
CB: Gabriel Magalhães — 7
Gabriel was a rock at the back but will be disappointed not to have made a greater impact at the other end. Known for his aerial prowess, he found himself well-marshaled by Nikola Milenković during several dangerous Arsenal corners, neutralizing one of the Gunners’ primary weapons.
LB: Jurriën Timber — 7
Timber’s performance was a bit of a mixed bag. He moved into midfield frequently to help control the tempo, but his tactical fouling—including a yellow card for tugging back Callum Hudson-Odoi—suggested he was occasionally caught out of position. He lacked the natural overlapping threat of some of his counterparts.
CM: Martin Ødegaard — 6
The captain struggled to find his usual rhythm under the heavy pressure of Elliot Anderson. Usually the architect of Arsenal’s best moves, Ødegaard’s passes often lacked their trademark precision, and his early substitution was a reflection of his inability to pick the Forest lock.
CM: Martín Zubimendi — 7
The summer signing did the “dirty work” effectively, winning second balls and shielding the back four. He had a decent sight of goal in the first half after a rare burst forward, but he was eventually sacrificed for more attacking flair as Arteta chased the elusive winner.
CM: Declan Rice — 7.5
Rice was arguably Arsenal’s most consistent midfield presence. He tested Matz Sels with a bouncing volley in the second half and delivered several teasing crosses that merited a better finish. However, even he seemed to tire as the game descended into a physical battle in the closing stages.
RW: Noni Madueke — 6
Handed a rare start over Bukayo Saka, Madueke saw plenty of the ball in the first half. He showed flashes of brilliance with his dribbling but often ran into a wall of red shirts. His lack of chemistry with the rest of the front three was evident before he was replaced.
ST: Viktor Gyökeres — 5
A difficult night for the Swedish international. He struggled to act as an effective focal point, failing to hold the ball up against Forest’s physical center-backs. He had one clear opening after a Murillo error but hesitated too long, allowing the defender to recover.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli — 5
Martinelli was the liveliest of the starting attackers but was guilty of the miss of the match, somehow poking the ball wide from close range in the first half. After failing to replicate his recent hat-trick heroics, he was hooked at the interval for Trossard.
Substitutes
Leandro Trossard (6.3): Brought on to provide a spark but found himself isolated on the flank.
Bukayo Saka (7.3): The brightest of the subs; he forced a world-class save from Sels with a powerful header.
Mikel Merino (6.4): Added physicality to the midfield but missed a late headed chance.
Gabriel Jesus (6.2): Active in his movement but never looked like scoring.
Eberechi Eze (6.2): A late introduction who couldn’t find the “magic” moment in his brief cameo.