NOTTINGHAM – On 17 January 2026, Nottingham Forest dug in at the City Ground and earned a valuable 0-0 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League. Arsenal stay seven points clear at the top after Manchester City lost earlier to Manchester United, but Mikel Arteta’s side will feel they missed a chance to stretch their lead even more.
It was one of those nights where solid defending beat flowing football. Forest, sitting 17th and five points above the drop zone, stuck to their plan under Sean Dyche and kept their shape. Arsenal had more of the ball and more threat, yet they couldn’t find a way through. A mix of sharp goalkeeping and committed blocks kept the leaders out.
Match Highlights
The first half felt tight and cautious. Arsenal held possession and tried to move Forest around, but the home side stayed compact. Gabriel Martinelli got in early from a narrow angle and dragged his effort wide after a quick break. Viktor Gyokeres then forced a save from Matz Sels, his shot taking a deflection on the way through, but Forest got bodies back and dealt with it.
The tempo lifted after the hour when Arsenal brought on Bukayo Saka. He made an instant difference, swinging in a teasing ball that ended with Declan Rice volleying at goal, only for Sels to gather comfortably. Soon after, Saka attacked another Rice delivery and sent a looping header towards the top corner. Sels reacted brilliantly, flying across to tip it over the bar.
The big talking point came late on. A cross from the right hit Forest defender Ola Aina on the arm, and Arsenal appealed loudly for a penalty. Referee Michael Oliver played on, and VAR backed the on-field call. The review said the ball struck Aina’s shoulder first, then his arm, which was in a natural position. Arteta didn’t agree and called it a “clear penalty” after the final whistle.
Forest offered very little in attack and didn’t manage a shot on target, but their organisation held up all night. Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic were strong at the back, and the draw made it two straight 0-0 league games for Arsenal, which is unusual for a side that normally scores freely.
Nottingham Forest Match Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Possession | 40% |
| Shots | 4 |
| Shots on Target | 0 |
| Corners | 2 |
| Fouls | 11 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 |
| Key Saves (Matz Sels) | 4 |
Forest’s defence, with Sels and Aina among the standouts, got plenty of credit for shutting out the league’s most dangerous attack.
Arsenal Match Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Possession | 60% |
| Shots | 14 |
| Shots on Target | 5 |
| Corners | 7 |
| Fouls | 9 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 |
| Big Chances Missed | 3 |
Arsenal controlled long spells and created clearer openings, but they lacked a finishing touch. Sels took the player of the match award after a series of key stops.
Arsenal remain in a strong position in the title race, though this will feel like two points dropped. Forest, on the other hand, will take real confidence from a clean sheet against the league leaders. Next up, Arsenal shift focus to a Champions League meeting with Inter Milan, while Forest prepare for UEFA Europa League action.
The Premier League doesn’t offer many easy nights, and results like this are a reminder that every point matters, especially when the pressure rises at the top.
