Arsenal miss chance to pull further clear at top as stubborn Forest claim point

Arsenal missed a golden opportunity to take a decisive step towards winning their first Premier League title in 22 years after being held to a 0-0 draw at struggling Nottingham Forest.

The Gunners enjoyed the perfect pre-match entertainment by watching rivals Manchester City lose their derby to United, which presented the chance to go nine points clear at the summit.

But, nine days after drawing 0-0 with Liverpool after City had again slipped up, Mikel Arteta’s men could not take advantage after failing to get past Forest.

They had chances as Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka both went close, but they drew a blank.

The draw did see Arsenal extend their lead to seven points, which could be cut to four on Sunday if Aston Villa beat Everton, and they remain clear favourites to get their hands on the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004.

But the missed opportunities could prompt some doubts in the Gunners camp as they have let leads at the top of the table slip in the past, notably when they were eight points clear of City in April 2023 only to fall short.

Forest were dogged and resolute and deserved a point, which was a timely boost having seen West Ham’s win at Tottenham pull them back into relegation trouble.

Indeed Sean Dyche’s side, who are five points clear of the bottom three, competed from the off, with Nicolas Dominguez’s goalbound shot blocked by Declan Rice and Callum Hudson-Odoi just unable to get on the end of Murillo’s through-ball in a strong opening 20 minutes.

The Gunners enjoyed some control and threatened just before the half-hour mark.

A second ball from a corner landed at Noni Madueke’s feet and the England international’s volley made its way to Martinelli at the far post, but he somehow