These teams may only be separated by one place in the Premier League table but the emotions released by players, coaches and fans at the end of this rabidly entertaining draw showed just how far apart their ambitions lie. Arsenal, in second place but trailing Liverpool by 13 points, are resigned to Champions League qualification; Nottingham Forest, in contrast, are intoxicated by the prospect.
Arsenal’s title challenge was limping anyway as their striking department fell into the treatment room in mid-winter but gaining one point from two games against West Ham and Forest over the past five days seems to have killed it off.
With the second-string midfielder Mikel Merino again obliged to deputise up front, in the absence of the injured Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal lacked the killer instinct as Forest returned to their resolute and robust role as the great underdogs in this challenge for a first return to Europe’s premier competition since 1980.
This was the first goalless draw at the City Ground in the Premier League since 1998 but was greeted with huge roars by the home supporters.
After uncharacteristically conceding at least two goals in five of their previous six games, including four in the first half at Newcastle on Sunday, Forest defended for their lives once again, with Murillo outstanding. “The most important thing was to realise how we do things, how we play and our strengths. Today it was there,” Nuno Espírito Santo, their head coach, said.
“We were compact and didn’t allow Arsenal too much. Arsenal had chances, of course, because they are a very good team. But at the same time, we were compact, solid and aggressive.”
Arsenal thought they had broken through eight minutes from time when Martin Ødegaard was released inside the penalty area by Leandro Trossard and not once but twice had his efforts cleared from off or near the line. But the flag had gone up to indicate Trossard was offside. It typified Arsenal’s frustrating night.
The early stages of the game all seemed to hinge around Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian left-back, who might not have started but for Myles Lewis-Skelly’s suspension for his red card against West Ham, was booked for an early foul on Callum Hudson-Odoi, leading to his substitution at half-time. Arsenal fans’ hearts were in their mouths when the winger, switched to the right flank for this game, then burst past the Italian, into the area and stumbled over after light contact. Andrew Madley deemed it no penalty; the video assistant referee agreed.
Calafiori regularly roamed forward as in inverted left-back and, midway through the first half, bent a shot against the inside of the far post, Matz Sels catching the rebound.
Arsenal dominated possession. But such a situation is not anathema to Forest, whose position in the top three of the table has relied so much on their counterattacking prowess.
Arsenal’s prowess at corners promised to provide a breakthrough after the break. First Merino, Arsenal’s saviour in the East Midlands with the two goals that did for Leicester City 11 days earlier, found freedom at the back post to head Declan Rice’s delivery goalwards, Sels parrying superbly at point-blank range; then Kieran Tierney worried his way in at the near post to thud his effort just wide. Arsenal looked to be tightening the screw. “We generated more [chances from corners],” Arteta said. “It’s been so helpful, especially when we lost so much threat in the attacking options [injured players]. We couldn’t open [the game] up even with that and so we’re very disappointed.”
Forest’s role as top-four interlopers was represented by their xG of 0.06 as the hour mark passed and Nuno called for Ryan Yates and Danilo to stiffen up the midfield. After three defeats in four, a point was a good one as the City Ground retained its ferocious hostility.
Finally Chris Wood chiselled in down the inside-left channel and fired off a fine shot that David Raya had to save. Then William Saliba was obliged to pull out a superbly timed last-ditch tackle to deny Forest’s topscorer from breaking in on goal. After their FA Cup visit from Ipswich on Monday, Forest could confirm their position as the most unlikely favourites for a top-four finish if they can keep out Manchester City – also only one place away from them in the table but a million miles distant in resource and aspiration – here a week on Saturday.
