Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal Player Ratings: The Gunners’ title dream fade away as the tie with Forest ends in a goalless draw

The Premier League game between the second and the third-placed team in the table ended as a goalless draw. Both the teams, Nottingham Forest and Arsenal were not able to find the back of the net despite creating few opportunities. The easiest way to describe this game is as a point with two distinct variations. It essentially symbolizes Arsenal’s now-stalled championship challenge. It’s another element that makes playing in the Champions League seem more realistic for Forest.

Around the 22nd minute, Calafiori is beaten down by Forest’s right by Hudson-Odoi, who then drives in down the byline. The hosts are frustrated, but Andy Madley doesn’t give them a spot-kick as the Italian just clips him and he collapses. Just moments after that the left-back turned his marker to take a shot, which hit the woodwork keeping the score tied.

With 10 minutes left on the clock for the half to end, Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard curled in a ball for the attackers but went in for a goal kick. The first half between Forest and Arsenal concluded 0-0 after some tight and even opening exchanges. Although numerous half-chances have suggested a breakthrough later on, neither team took this game by storm.

Six minutes into the second half, Mikel Merino connected a corner at the right post which was tipped by Nottingham goalkeeper Matz Sels to keep the scores level. Around the 83rd minute, Zinchenko plays it back for Odegaard in the box after being positioned down the left. After Murillo blocks the initial shot, Sels rejects Odegaard on the second attempt. The stadium appears incredulous, but Arsenal’s blushes are spared when Zinchenko is ultimately given an offside flag.

Let’s have a look at Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal player ratings.

Nottingham Forest Player Ratings

GK- Matz Sels- 6.6/10

The Belgian goalkeeper did not have a very busy night as he had to make only one save throughout the 90 minutes of the game.

RB- Ola Aina- 6.6/10

The Nigerian defender maintained a passing accuracy of 71 percent and made six passes into the final third. Apart from that he was involved in five defensive actions and made three clearances.

CB- Nikola Milenkovic- 7.2/10

The centre-back capped a good performance maintaining a passing accuracy of 82 percent. He was involved in 12 defensive actions and made five clearances for Nottingham Forest.

CB- Murillo- 6.9/10

The Brazilian centre-back put on a strong defensive performance keeping the clean sheet against a depleted Arsenal side. He was involved in seven defensive actions and made five clearances for his side.

LB- Neco Williams- 7.6/10

The left back had a decent game contributing both in defence as well as attack. He was the most fouled player in the game and was involved in 12 defensive actions.

DM- Nicolas Dominguez- 7.2/10

The Argentine midfielder had a decent game against Arsenal maintaining a passing accuracy of 79 percent. He was also involved in nine defensive actions and made two crucial blocks.

DM- Elliot Anderson- 6.6/10

The midfielder acted as a shield for the defence stopping many first-hand attacks. He was involved in nine defensive actions and completed four dribbles.

AM- Morgan Gibbs-White- 7.1/10

The attacking midfielder maintained a passing accuracy of 81 percent and created a couple of attacking opportunities against Arsenal. He won six duels and made four passes into the final third.

LW- Anthony Elanga- 6.1/10

The Swedish winger had an ordinary game as he was not much involved in the game with just six passes during his time on the pitch for Nottingham Forest.

RW- Callum Hudson-Odoi- 7.3/10

The English right winger had a good presence on the wing but did not create much for his team. He took only one shot and maintained a passing accuracy of 94 percent.

ST- Chris Wood- 5.1/10

The attacker had a poor game against Arsenal taking just two shots on goal. In total, he lost 14 duels in the game and did not create any chance in attack for his team.

SUB- Ryan Yates- 6.6/10

He was brought on to replace Anthony Elanga in attack.

SUB- Danilo- 6.4/10

He came on to replace Nicolas Dominguez around the 63rd minute.

SUB- Taiwo Awoniyi- N/A.

MANAGER- Nuno Espirito Santo- 6.5/10

His team was not clinical enough in the attacking third as they failed to convert good chances.

Also Read: Chelsea 4-0 Southampton Player Ratings: Chelsea demolish Southampton to get back to winning ways

Arsenal Player Ratings

GK- David Raya- 7.5/10

The English goalkeeper was not troubled much by the Forest attackers as he had to make only a couple of saves during the whole game.

RB- Julian Timber- 7.6/10

The Dutch right-back was strong on the right side of the defence winning nine duels in the game. He was involved in eight defensive actions and made four tackles against Nottingham Forest.

CB- William Saliba- 8.0/10

The French centre-back was great in the central defence and completed the most number of passes in the game. He was involved in 13 defensive actions and made seven clearances for Arsenal.

CB- Gabriel- 7.3/10

The Brazilian centre-back capped a strong performance at the back for Mikel Arteta’s side. He maintained a passing accuracy of 89 percent and was involved in nine defensive actions.

LB- Riccardo Calafiori- 6.9/10

The defender was taken off after the first half due to a yellow card that he received. The Italian left-back had a decent game as one of his shots hit the woodwork.

CM- Declan Rice- 7.4/10

The English midfielder had a decent game with a good passing accuracy. He created three chances for his team in attack and took a couple of shots during the game.

CM- Jorginho- 6.4/10

The Italian centre-back had a good game maintaining a passing accuracy of 87 percent. He made nine passes into the final third and was involved in three defensive actions.

CM- Martin Odegaard- 6.7/10

The Norwegian international did well in the midfield orchestrating the whole game but lacked that golden touch. He maintained a passing accuracy of 89 percent and created multiple attacking opportunities.

LW- Leandro Trossard- 7.1/10

The Belgian winger created the most number of chances in attack. He took a couple of shots on goal and maintained a passing accuracy of 83 percent.

ST- Mikel Merino- 6.5/10

The attacker had a normal game taking only two shots on goal for Arsenal. He also created a couple of chances for his team and made good passes into the final third.

RW- Nwaneri- 7.1/10

The English winger had a good game in the attack taking three shots on goal. He maintained a good passing accuracy and completed five dribbles for Arsenal.

SUB-Kieran Tierney- 6.9/10

He came on to replace Riccardo Calafiori in defence.

SUB- Zinchenko- 5.9/10

He came on to replace Jorginho around the 70th minute of the game.

SUB- Raheem Sterling- 5.9/10

As the last ten minutes draw near, Arteta replaces Nwaneri with Raheem Sterling, trading youth for experience.

SUB- Thomas Partey- N/A.

SUB- Ben White- N/A.

MANAGER- Mikel Arteta- 6.6/10

His side managed a draw despite keeping the possession but the English manager would be happy with the result despite their plight with injuries in the away fixture.

The Sportsdunia Man of the Match award goes to William Saliba for his brilliant performance in the defence.

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