Arsenal held by Nottingham Forest, miss opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table

Arsenal missed the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to nine points after they were held to a frustrating draw by Nottingham Forest.

The Gunners end Saturday seven points clear at the summit though after second-placed Manchester City were beaten at Manchester United, while third-placed Aston Villa do not play until Sunday.

However, that incentive to increase the gap further was not enough to get Mikel Arteta’s side going in the first half.

Forest also struggled to create much with neither side able to get a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. The best chance fell to Gabriel Martinelli who poked the ball wide from inside the six-yard box.

Arteta, who had made three changes to the Arsenal starting XI, introduced Bukayo Saka as a second-half substitute and Forest keeper Matz Sels had to produce an excellent save to keep out a header from the England winger.

It was a valuable point for Forest, who had their gap to the relegation zone cut to four before kick-off by West Ham’s last-gasp victory at Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal analysis: Missed chance but still clear at top for Gunners

This was Arsenal’s third away match in succession and the Gunners have been in good form on their travels.

They had scored three goals in each of their previous three away games during a run of five victories.

But, with Arteta rotating his side from 3-2 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg victory at Chelsea in midweek by resting first choice wingers Leandro Trossard and Saka, his side lacked threat.

Martinelli, who scored a hat-trick a week ago in the 4-1 FA Cup victory at Portsmouth, was taken off at half-time with Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Eberechi Eze thrown on by the Arsenal manager as they looked for a creative spark.

However, despite a period of pressure in the second half, Arsenal could not find a way through, with a superb save from Sels also keeping them out.

The result gives Aston Villa the opportunity to cut the gap to four points when they host Everton on Sunday (16:30 GMT).

Nottingham Forest analysis: Forest show fight to frustrate Arsenal

This hard-fought point will give Forest and their manager Sean Dyche something to build on in the second half of the season.

Dyche called for “spirit and togetherness” in his programme notes and his side showed plenty of that.

Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo at centre-back were superb in dealing with the Gunners threat from set-pieces, while the whole Forest backline performed well to keep the changing Arsenal attack at bay.

There could have been a nervy atmosphere inside the City Ground after West Ham’s win but the supporters were behind the team from the first minute.

Nottingham Forest had lost six of their 10 home league games before today and making their home ground a difficult place to come will be vital if they are to stay clear of the relegation zone.

Average Rating:8.24

Number:8E. Anderson

Average Rating:7.67

Number:5Murillo

Average Rating:7.59

Number:3N. Williams

Average Rating:7.41

Number:34O. Aina

Average Rating:7.25

Number:31N. Milenković

Average Rating:7.22

Number:16N. Domínguez