Arsenal frustrated in goalless draw at Forest as Arteta hits out at VAR

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points on Saturday, but manager Mikel Arteta was left ruing a missed opportunity and a controversial penalty decision following a 0-0 stalemate against Nottingham Forest.

With title rivals Manchester City suffering a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United earlier in the day, the Gunners arrived at the City Ground knowing a victory would propel them nine points clear. Instead, they were held to a second consecutive goalless draw for the first time in 14 years, dating back to the start of the 2012-13 season.

Arteta fumes over “clear” penalty denial

The match was defined by a contentious incident in the closing stages. With 10 minutes remaining, Arsenal appealed vehemently for a penalty when the ball struck Forest defender Ola Aina on the arm inside the box. Aina appeared to be bumped by teammate Elliot Anderson while attempting to control a bouncing ball, which then glanced off his shoulder and arm.

Referee Michael Oliver waved play on, and the decision was upheld by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Darren England. The Premier League Match Centre later clarified via X (formerly Twitter) that the contact was deemed accidental, stating the ball played off Aina’s shoulder first while his arm was in a “natural position.”

Arteta, however, was adamant his side had been wronged.

“I’ve just seen the replays—I think it’s a clear intention to clear the ball inside and it’s a clear penalty,” the Arsenal manager said. “I don’t understand why it’s not been given.”

Dyche dismisses claims as “ridiculous”

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche offered a typically robust rebuttal to Arteta’s claims, suggesting that penalizing such incidents would ruin the game.

“I think if these start to get given we’ve all got to leave it. I think that’s ridiculous,” Dyche said. “You may as well cancel football if you’re going to give that. The rules have to be careful.”

Dyche’s view was supported by retired Premier League official Darren Cann, who told BBC Sport that the officials reached the correct verdict as Aina’s arm was in a “justifiable position.”

** dominance without cutting edge** Beyond the controversy, Arsenal will be concerned by a lack of clinical finishing. The visitors restricted Forest to zero shots on target but failed to convert their own dominance into goals, despite Arteta noting his team created “four big chances.”

Winger Noni Madueke acknowledged the mood in the dressing room was one of disappointment. “It feels like a missed opportunity,” he admitted.

The result highlights a growing concern regarding Arsenal’s firepower. Joint-top scorers Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard have netted only five league goals each this season.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, speaking to TNT Sports, warned that such profligacy could cost them the title. “You have to find that extra from somewhere… If Arsenal were more clinical in front of goal, there are three points there,” Keown said. “To be champions, you have to do something special.”

While the draw inches Arsenal further away from Manchester City, the gap could narrow on Sunday. Third-placed Aston Villa host Everton and could close in on the leaders.

For Arsenal, the immediate challenge is rediscovering their scoring touch. “We could’ve been better,” Arteta conceded. “We have to improve and be better, especially when we create four big chances—you have to put them away.”