Despite the players’ best efforts, Arsenal’s title hopes appeared to fade after their draw with Nottingham Forest.
On the surface, earning a point at the City Ground isn’t a bad result—Liverpool also only managed a 1-1 draw there in January, even at full strength.
It’s well known that Mikel Arteta’s squad is without a natural striker for the rest of the season, an issue that was evident once again against Forest.
Arteta deployed Mikel Merino as a makeshift number nine, but ironically, it was left-back Riccardo Calafiori who posed the biggest goal threat before being substituted at halftime.
Calafiori operated almost like a secondary striker, as Arteta continued to experiment in search of goals without his preferred attacking options.
Nuno Espirito Santo Praises Arsenal Despite Their Lack of Goals
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged Arsenal’s dominance in possession and commended their quality.
Despite the draw, Nuno expressed pride in his team’s disciplined performance against a tough opponent, highlighting their defensive solidity and adherence to their game plan.
“It’s very difficult to play against them. They are a very good team. It requires a lot of effort. We were solid and compact. A very positive game,” Nuno stated.
“After conceding in previous matches, it was important to go back to basics—solid, clean sheet. We had moments where we could have done better, but overall, it was crucial to return to our identity, which brings us success.
“They pose a threat in many areas, including set-pieces. It requires focus, and the players responded well. We prepared for it.”
Mikel Arteta’s Experiment with Mikel Merino Isn’t Paying Off
Arteta once again used Merino as a number nine, just as he did in Arsenal’s recent loss to West Ham.
Although Merino impressed as a substitute against Leicester City, starting in a central attacking role does not seem to suit him.
He was effective making late runs into the box against a fatigued Leicester defense, but breaking down a compact, defensive Forest side proved much more challenging.
Martin Keown pointed out Arsenal’s struggles after the draw, which all but ended their title chances.
Meanwhile, Liverpool continued their relentless form, comfortably defeating Newcastle United and extending their lead to 13 points.