Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points on Saturday, but a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest left many Gunners fans reflecting on a missed opportunity. The match followed Manchester City’s 2-0 loss at Old Trafford, which had presented Arsenal with the chance to move nine points clear. However, Mikel Arteta’s side was left frustrated for the second consecutive league match.
Having previously drawn 0-0 against Liverpool, this marks the first time in 14 years that Arsenal has experienced consecutive stalemates in the top flight. The last occurrence was during the 2012-13 season’s opening games against Sunderland and Stoke City. Arteta highlighted his team’s creation of “four big chances” without facing a single shot on target from Forest, yet winger Noni Madueke admitted it felt like “a missed opportunity.”
Controversial Penalty Decision
Arteta’s frustration peaked when Arsenal was not awarded a second-half penalty for a handball by Forest defender Ola Aina. “I’ve just seen the replays – I think it’s a clear intention to clear the ball inside and it’s a clear penalty, so I don’t understand why it’s not been given,” Arteta stated.
The incident occurred with about 10 minutes remaining in the match. Aina attempted to control a bouncing ball in his penalty area while challenged by Gabriel Jesus and bumped by teammate Elliot Anderson. The ball struck Aina’s shoulder before hitting his arm, leading to vehement appeals from Arsenal for a penalty, which were denied.
The Premier League Match Centre on X said: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Arsenal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that the ball was played off Aina’s shoulder first, while his arm was also in a natural position.”
Forest manager Sean Dyche disagreed with Arteta’s assessment, stating, “I think if these start to get given we’ve all got to leave it. I think that’s ridiculous. We’ve got to be careful with those.”
Expert Opinions and Historical Context
Retired Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann supported the officials’ decision, explaining, “The arm is close to the body and is in a justifiable position.” The decision divided pundits, with ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin suggesting Aina’s arm “moved towards the ball,” while former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard argued it would have been “soft” to award a penalty.
Last season, only nine penalties were awarded for handball in the Premier League, a stark contrast to Serie A’s 34 and Ligue 1’s 37. Although there has been a correction this season, the English top flight still has the fewest handball penalties among the top five leagues, with 15 awarded at a rate of one every 15.13 games.
Arsenal’s claim for a penalty against Aina hinged on the notion of deliberate handball. However, the ball’s deflection off Aina’s shoulder and his arm’s justifiable position for his movement complicated the matter. The VAR’s failure to intervene is unlikely to be deemed an error, considering the circumstances.
Implications for Arsenal’s Title Hopes
Despite being seven points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa, Arsenal’s quest for a first title in two decades remains challenging. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown emphasized the need for “something special” to secure the championship. “If Arsenal were more clinical in front of goal, there are three points there… That’s where they will look to improve,” Keown told Sky Sports.
Arsenal’s recent lack of a consistent goalscorer has drawn scrutiny, with joint-top scorers Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard netting only five league goals each. Arteta acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We have to improve and be better, especially when we create four big chances – you have to put them away.”
As Arsenal continues its campaign, the team must capitalize on opportunities and maintain its lead in the league. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining whether Arteta’s side can end their two-decade title drought.
