Arsenal's Premier League campaign took another hit as they failed to score in consecutive matches against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, a setback not seen since May 2023. This string of goalless games underscores a challenging season where Arsenal has drawn nine out of 27 league matches—the highest number of stalemates since the 2019/20 season. Injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus have left the team without crucial creators and finishers.
In their recent encounter with Nottingham Forest, Arsenal managed only one shot on target, marking the third such instance this season. The team's struggle to convert opportunities into goals was evident as they recorded 13 shots worth just 0.97 expected goals, highlighting the difficulty in crafting clear chances. A goalless draw against Forest has effectively dashed Arsenal's hopes for the Premier League title, with Liverpool extending their lead at the top of the table.
Despite these challenges, Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, expressed determination in the face of adversity. In the build-up to the game against Nottingham Forest, he firmly stated that Arsenal would not give up on the title "over my dead body." However, the reality of a 13-point gap behind Liverpool suggests that any lingering hopes of a title win are now unrealistic.
Against Nottingham Forest, Riccardo Calafiori came closest to breaking the deadlock for Arsenal, curling a shot that hit the inside of the post in the first half. Mikel Merino also tested Forest's goalkeeper Matz Sels with a smart save from a second-half corner. Despite dominating possession, Arsenal found themselves thwarted by a resolute Forest defense that successfully claimed a point.
Arsenal's offensive struggles can be largely attributed to the absence of their star players due to injuries. The lack of attacking firepower has been exposed as they have struggled to create and convert chances into goals. The team's poor finishing is only part of the problem; the challenge lies in creating effective goal-scoring opportunities.
Mikel Arteta acknowledged the need for reflection following these recent performances. He stated:
"We've got time to reflect. We have a few days now to reflect before the PSV game so I'm going to do it."
This introspection comes at a crucial time as Arsenal must now shift their focus to their upcoming Champions League last-16 tie against PSV Eindhoven next week. Arteta emphasized the importance of concentrating on their own games, stating:
"It's about us. It's about winning. Our games are the only thing we can control."
As Arsenal prepares for their European challenge, they will need to address their current shortcomings and adapt to the absence of key players if they hope to succeed. The team's resilience will be tested as they strive to regain momentum and end the season on a positive note.
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