Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest means that their title dream is now a distant prospect. Once again, the lack of penetration became a talking point after the game. The Gunners will probably have to wait a while longer for two injured players to return.
Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus. All of them are sorely missed in the Arsenal offense and by coach Mikel Arteta. The 0-0 draw at the surprise team Nottingham Forest was the third in the last four games in which the Gunners have not scored a goal.
Arsenal lacks the penetration
The gap to league leaders Liverpool has grown to 13 points after the Reds’ win in the parallel game – even though Arsenal have played one game less. Nevertheless, the likelihood of them winning their first title since 2004 has not increased. Even though Arteta only stated before the game that he did not want to give up on the title dream.
In particular, the absence of numerous offensive players was again noticeable – so Mikel Merino, a trained midfielder, once again took to the center forward position. Arsenal found it extremely difficult to capitalize on their control of the game (65 percent possession). According to BBC Stats, the Gunners had an xG value of just 0.31 from open play. “With all the situations we created, we lacked the final pass and the quality of the passes, and certainly the number of shots on target,” said Arteta.
The fact that the concerns in the center forward position are unlikely to improve is already clear from the fact that Gabriel Jesus (cruciate ligament rupture) and Havertz (hamstring injury) have both already been confirmed out for the season. Gabriel Martinelli and Saka, on the other hand, could ensure that there are more options and that the burden – even in the hot phase of the Champions League – does not fall exclusively on players like 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri or Leandro Trossard.
Sakas and Gabriel Martinelli’s return in March? “I don’t think so”
But it will take a little longer for the two to return. “I don’t think so,” was Arteta’s response when asked if the two might have a chance of returning before the upcoming international break at the end of March.
That would make their earliest possible return the FA Cup fourth round tie with Fulham on April 1. “We have a meeting tomorrow to discuss where they stand, especially Gabby. He probably has a chance of getting into the team before Bukayo,” said Arteta. In the Champions League, both could play a role in a possible quarter-final against PSV Eindhoven – but that is not certain either. Ultimately, both have to be “gently integrated” first.
Either way, Arteta also knows that grumbling and hoping for the returnees to return is of no use. “The only thing we can do is win our games and see how many points we get.”
