Arsenal were held to a goalless stalemate by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Wednesday night, losing more ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners were the early tempo-setters after both teams received early bookings, but the striker-less visitors had issues creating against a low-lying Nottingham Forest defence. Their front three huffed and puffed without much reward, so Riccardo Calafiori took it upon himself to contribute higher up.
The left-back came ever so close to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half, but his curled effort after a lovely turn in the box crashed against the post. Arsenal's pressure continued throughout the opening period, with the hosts limited to a couple of promising counter-attacks which failed to result in a shot on goal.
The visitors threatened from set pieces immediately after the restart, with half-time substitute Kieran Tierney heading just wide from a Martin Odegaard corner. Forest struggled to build any momentum in the opening hour, but Nuno Espirito Santo's side did eventually make David Raya work. Chris Wood had an effort comfortably saved after combining with Morgan Gibbs-White.
Neither side were able to fashion any chances of note in the closing stages - although there was an outstanding Murillo clearance during an offside sequence - and the stalemate which looked likely from the outset played out.
Nottingham Forest player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Matz Sels | 6.6/10 |
RB: Ola Aina | 6.6/10 |
CB: Nikola Milenkovic | 7.2/10 |
CB: Murillo | 6.9/10 |
LB: Neco Williams | 7.6/10 |
CM: Nicolas Dominguez | 7.2/10 |
CM: Elliot Anderson | 6.5/10 |
RW: Callum Hudson-Odoi | 7.2/10 |
AM: Morgan Gibbs-White | 7.1/10 |
LW: Anthony Elanga | 6.1/10 |
ST: Chris Wood | 5.1/10 |
SUB: Ryan Yates (63' for Dominguez) | 6.6/10 |
SUB: Danilo (63' for Elanga) | 6.4/10 |
SUB: Taiwo Awoniyi (85' for Wood) | 6.1/10 |
Subs not used: Wayne Hennessey (GK), Morato, Ibrahim Sangare, Ramon Sosa, Alex Moreno, Jota Silva.
Arsenal player ratings (4-3-3)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: David Raya | 6.5/10 |
RB: Jurrien Timber | 7.6/10 |
CB: William Saliba | 8.0/10 |
CB: Gabriel | 7.3/10 |
LB: Riccardo Calafiori | 6.9/10 |
CM: Martin Odegaard | 6.7/10 |
CM: Jorginho | 6.4/10 |
CM: Declan Rice | 7.4/10 |
RW: Ethan Nwaneri | 7.1/10 |
ST: Mikel Merino | 6.5/10 |
LW: Leandro Trossard | 7.1/10 |
SUB: Kieran Tierney (46' for Calafiori) | 6.9/10 |
SUB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (70' for Jorginho) | 5.9/10 |
SUB: Raheem Sterling (77' for Nwaneri) | 5.9/10 |
SUB: Ben White (85' for Timber) | 6.0/10 |
SUB: Thomas Partey (85' for Odegaard) | 6.5/10 |
Subs not used: Neto (GK), Jakub Kiwior, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Ismeal Kabia.
Player of the match - William Saliba (Arsenal)
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