Arsenal’s slim title hopes faded further after a frustrating stalemate at Nottingham Forest.
The goalless draw at the City Ground meant the Gunners failed to close the gap on leaders Liverpool, who now look like making the run-in a title procession.
If that is the case, the last few days will be viewed as a sliding doors moment in Arsenal’s season following their home defeat to West Ham and dropped points against third-placed Forest on Wednesday.
Pre-game, with the Gunners 11 points behind Liverpool, boss Mikel Arteta vowed to keep fighting – he was unlikely to say anything else – but it is surely now a futile chase.
They needed to win at Forest but lacked a cutting edge, despite dominating possession, with their attacking options blunted by injury.
Without the injured Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino were neat and tidy up front but offered no focal point.
The closest Arsenal came was when full-back Riccardo Calafiori’s effort bounced off the post and into Matz Sels’ arms midway through the first half, before the goalkeeper saved Merino’s header soon after the break.
Their control of the ball at least denied Forest the chance to find 18-goal Chris Wood.
When the striker finally got some second-half service, Arsenal keeper David Raya denied him with a good block.
The draw kept alive Forest’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season, sitting six points behind Arsenal and two clear of Chelsea in fifth.
