Nottingham Forest played their part in a goalless draw against Arsenal as both teams cancelled each other out in a game between two of the top three sides in the Premier League.
Arsenal’s best chance came in the first half. Riccardo Calafiori left Nicolas Dominguez in knots before curling an effort towards goal that bounced off the post and gratefully into the arms of Matz Sels.
Forest had a couple of half chances. Chris Wood got into good positions on two occasions but as so often is the case with Arsenal, Gabriel Magalhaes was there to prevent the danger.
Ultimately, a point stops the rot somewhat for Forest. It also likely ends the title race, with the Gunners now sitting 13 points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game less and with a trip to Anfield still looming.
Nuno Espirito Santo silenced Martin Keown after some disrespectful comments following the game. He got his tactics spot on and was the mastermind behind this superb defensive display.
Martin O’Neill makes Evangelos Marinakis claim after Forest draw with Arsenal
The man who lasted just 19 games as the club’s manager – not that he ever mentions it – was on pundit duties last night as the TNT Sports cameras bowled into town for the latest Forest fixture.
O’Neill was pretty happy with the Forest point. Marinakis was in place at the City Ground to watch this game and he was asked whether European football would have been a top priority when he first came to the club all those years ago.
He said live on TNT Sports: “”He and I don’t get on all the time but this would’ve been the very thing he was pushing for the minute he walked through the door for the first time, it would be great to see them qualify.”
Forest take another step towards European football for 2025/26
Any kind of European action next season would mean the world to Forest supporters but given how long the team has sat third, there is real hope that Champions League action can be secured.
Marinakis will certainly be dreaming about the big competition though and bringing Champions League football to the City Ground is something that he will be dreaming of ahead of next season.
With 11 matches left to play, Forest are in a nice position. Two extra points last night would have really cemented things again but with Newcastle and Bournemouth both losing during midweek, this has to be viewed as a good point.
O’Neill might seem as though he’s an axe to grind with Forest. However, as a player who won the European Cup with the club, even he would find it hard not crack a smile if the club can return to that competition next season.
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