Arsenal entered the match against Nottingham Forest with high hopes of bouncing back after their disappointing loss to West Ham on Saturday.
With a chance to reignite their title hopes, they were eager to find form and get back to winning ways.
However, despite dominating possession, they failed to find the back of the net, and the match ended in a frustrating goalless draw.
Mikel Arteta’s Defiant Response
Earlier in the week, Mikel Arteta was asked whether he was ready to concede the title to Liverpool, who were leading the Premier League by 11 points.
Arteta’s response was firm and resolute: “Over my dead body.”
His defiance was admirable, but after watching his team falter once again, it’s hard to ignore that Arsenal’s title challenge is fading fast.
Arsenal’s Title Hopes Slipping Away
It’s now becoming clear: Arsenal’s chances of winning the title are practically over.
The loss to West Ham on Saturday, combined with Liverpool’s victory over Manchester City the following day, essentially sealed their fate.
While this draw against Forest was another blow, it wasn’t the only factor that pointed to Arsenal’s waning ambitions.
A team that once appeared poised to challenge for the crown now looks like a side in decline, unable to capitalize on crucial moments.
Lack of Firepower and Missed Chances
The game against Forest highlighted Arsenal’s biggest issues.
Once again, the team looked toothless in attack. Despite controlling large parts of the game, they were unable to break down Forest’s defense, with no real attacking threat emerging.
Injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz have clearly taken their toll, and the absence of a dedicated striker continues to hinder their chances.
A Lackluster Performance from Both Teams
Both Arsenal and Nottingham Forest seemed to be going through the motions.
Forest, who had lost their last two matches, appeared to be in damage control mode, and Arsenal did little to prove that they were still in the title race.
It felt like a game between two teams that had already given up on their ambitions—Arsenal’s pursuit of the title and Forest’s hopes of climbing up the table.
Arsenal’s Early Signs of Frustration
In the early stages, Arsenal found some satisfaction in a rare moment of consistency.
Nikola Milenkovic of Forest was booked after blocking Gabriel’s free kick attempt, something Arsenal fans have long felt should be penalized more often.
However, the match quickly settled into a predictable pattern—few chances and even fewer moments of real quality.
Glimpses of Individual Brilliance
Despite the lack of goals, there were a few individual moments of brilliance.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s creative play for Forest stood out, and young talent Ethan Nwaneri showed flashes of brilliance for Arsenal.
However, these moments were few and far between, and neither team could break the deadlock.
Arsenal’s Search for a Spark
In the second half, Arsenal pushed for an opening goal, but it was clear that they were lacking the necessary creativity and firepower.
Makeshift forward Mikel Merino almost scored with a header from a corner, but his effort was saved by Forest’s goalkeeper Matz Sels.
From there, the match continued in the same vein—effortful, but ultimately uninspiring.
A Final Flurry with No Result
As the match neared its end, there was a brief period of excitement.
Merino flicked the ball to Oleksandr Zinchenko, who passed it to Martin Odegaard for a close-range shot.
But just as it seemed like Arsenal had finally broken the deadlock, Murillo made a stunning clearance, and the linesman raised his flag for offside.
It was the perfect representation of Arsenal’s night—close, but no cigar.
The Bitter Realization
As the final whistle blew, it became increasingly clear that Arsenal’s chances of catching Liverpool were slipping away.
Despite Arteta’s earlier bravado, his side’s inability to secure a win against a Forest team that had been struggling was a painful reminder that the title race is now all but over for Arsenal.
With more points dropped, the Gunners must now shift their focus to securing second place, as the hope of claiming the top spot fades with every passing week.