Arsenal missed the chance to open up a nine-point gap on Manchester City as they were held to a 0-0 draw by a disciplined Nottingham Forest side at the City Ground. On an evening framed as a huge opportunity in the title race following City's defeat in the Manchester derby, Mikel Arteta's team were forced to settle for only a point.
Forest did not register a shot on target but defended with organisation and resolve, earning a hard-fought result that keeps them five points clear of the relegation zone. For Arsenal, it was a second successive goalless draw in the Premier League, coming on the back of their stalemate with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, and another occasion when they failed to make a Manchester City slip-up count.
Gabriel Martinelli squandered the visitors' best chance of the first half from just a few yards out, while substitute Bukayo Saka was denied by an outstanding save from Matz Sels after the break. Controversy then took centre stage when a lengthy VAR check ruled out what Arsenal felt was a clear handball by Ola Aina inside the box, before Forest had their own penalty claim turned down and almost snatched victory in stoppage time as Omari Hutchinson's cross just evaded Ndoye six yards from goal.
Title Opportunity Slips as Arsenal Are Held at the City Ground