Arsenal missed their opportunities against Nottingham Forest, therefore they were unable to capitalise on Manchester City’s derby loss. Arsenal missed their opportunities against Nottingham Forest, therefore they were unable to capitalise on Manchester City’s derby loss.
As the Gunners look to break their 22-year title drought, two significant chances that would have made their position much more dominant were lost. Instead, when Aston Villa takes on Everton on Sunday, Arsenal’s lead at the top of the league may be reduced.
In the same rotational front three that started the victory at Bournemouth earlier this month, Arteta decided to start Noni Madueke rather than Bukayo Saka. However, unlike on the south coast, Arsenal didn’t appear like the team that won three points that time, so it wasn’t shocking that adjustments were needed sooner rather than later.
Arsenal failed to take advantage of Manchester City’s slip-up
The first call to action from David Raya occurred halfway through the first half. Performing admirably to clear his lines far from his box and predict Callum Hudson-Odoi’s run. Declan Rice also came very near to making the crucial touch shortly before, and Ola Aina did a good job of avoiding putting the ball into his own net from a Ben White cross.
Martinelli should have then scored from the ensuing corner after skewing the ball beyond the goal line and safely out of play with his left boot from a tight angle. Leandro Trossard was substituted for the misfiring Martinelli in the second half by Arteta, who was obviously angry during the interval. Jesus was very close to making the crucial touch after Merino was able to send the ball over the Forest goal.
Rice’s free kick was headed by the Spanish midfielder, but the ball was too soft and fell just short of Sels’ left post. Ola Aina’s right arm made touch with the ball inside the area during a potential handball review by VAR, but it was waived after a protracted assessment, and for good reason.
