Arsenal

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The Ola Aina handball incident happened with about 10 minutes of the match remaining.

The Forest right-back attempted to control a bouncing ball in his own penalty area while being challenged by Gabriel Jesus and bumped by his own team-mate Elliot Anderson.

The ball hit Aina's shoulder before striking his arm as the defender tried to turn, prompting Mikel Arteta and Arsenal to vehemently appeal for a spot-kick - to no avail.

The Premier League Match Centre on X said: "The referee's call of no penalty to Arsenal was checked and confirmed by VAR - with it deemed that the ball was played off Aina's shoulder first, while his arm was also in a natural position."

While Arteta was adamant his side had been denied a "clear penalty", Forest boss Sean Dyche, unsurprisingly, did not agree.

"I think if these start to get given we've all got to leave it. I think that's ridiculous. We've got to be careful with those," Dyche said.

"You may as well cancel football if you're going to give that [as handball]. The rules have to be careful. You know what they should be looking at? People feigning injury. That's the new diving."

Retired Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann told BBC Sport he thought the officials had come to the correct decision, saying: "The arm is close to the body and is in a justifiable position."

The decision split the watching pundits, with ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin telling BBC Radio 5 Live he thought Aina's arm "moved towards the ball", but former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard insisting it would have been "soft" to award a spot-kick for the incident.

Read more analysis on the penalty appeal here

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 2-0 Brentford

• Tottenham 1-2 West Ham

• Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their goalless draw with Nottingham Forest: "We obviously wanted to win the game, we knew the game was going to be very tough and very close as well from the way that they play. We created four big, big, big chances and a clear penalty, but we weren't able to win the game.

"I've just seen the replays, I think it's a clear intention to clear the ball inside and it's a clear penalty so I don't understand why it's not been given.

"We could've been better, but as well, this is happening all around the league for every single team. We have to improve and be better, especially when we create four big chances, you have to put them away.

"You have to produce that moment. We've created certain moments, but credit to them as well because they are very well-organised and they disrupt your momentum in clever ways all the time. We knew that. We tried to at the end find a goal. I don't think we conceded a single shot, again. But that's the margins and we didn't find a way to win it."

Did you know?

• Arsenal have had consecutive goalless draws in the Premier League for the first time since their opening two games of the 2012-13 season against Sunderland and Stoke City.

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

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).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of Arsenal's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Sean Dyche makes one change from Nottingham Forest's last Premier League game with Sangare coming in for Hutchinson.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Dominguez, Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus

Subs: Gunn, Morato, Awoniyi, Luiz, Ndoye, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Savona

Mikel Arteta makes three changes to the Arsenal side that beat Chelsea in midweek. Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus come in on the wings. Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard drop to the bench.

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Madueke, Gyokeres

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Trossard, Merino, Havertz, Lewis-Skelly

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

His midfield team-mate has said the "way his brain works is ridiculous", while his manager has insisted "he can do whatever he wants".

With so much of the focus on Arsenal's need for a striker in the summer, the arrival of midfielder Martin Zubimendi, and his seamless transition into the team since, has gone a little under the radar.

When your partner in the centre of the park is one of the most expensive players in British football history, the spotlight has shone even further away.

According to boss Mikel Arteta, 26-year-old Zubimendi is "very humble" and has already earned the "respect of everyone" at the club, as well as supporters.

It is easy to understand why.

With more than 2,300 minutes under his belt this season, Zubimendi has racked up more time on the pitch than any Gunners outfield player.

As a defensive midfielder, his job is not a glamorous one and yes, he may have pitched in with four goals and an assist so far, but that is not what his team-mates and manager are relying on.

He has quietly gone about his business protecting the defence and providing a link to those further up the field - and it shows.

According to Opta, the Spain international tops the ranks among the Arsenal squad for interceptions (31) and successful passes in the opposition half (782) this term, while he comes second for tackles made (44), possession won (97) and successful passes (1,419).

"He delivers in every aspect of a midfielder's game and he always contributes. That's what sets him apart, what allows him to excel the way he has at Real Sociedad since he came into the first team," Spanish journalist and Real Sociedad expert Roberto Ramajo previously told BBC Sport.

"Martin has very good tactical ability. He knows how to occupy space on the pitch almost perfectly and he reads his team's needs very well when it comes to helping his team-mates."

One of those colleagues to have really felt the difference is Declan Rice.

By taking on more of the load of the so-called "dirty work" in midfield, it has allowed the England international to be more involved in the offensive side of the game.

Rice already has just over half the goal contributions he registered for the whole of last campaign and, thanks to Arsenal still fighting on all four fronts, could top last year's figure of 19.

And when comparing his figures from 2024-25 to this season on a per-game basis (as seen in the table above), it shows how there has been a reduction in the more defensive side of play, while an increase in areas like chances created, successful passes in the opposition half and forward passes.

If Arteta's side do go on to win silverware this season, with added protection for the defence and freedom allowing Rice to go forwards, Zubimendi could in fact prove to be their most pivotal acquisition.

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Man Utd v Man City (12:30)

• Chelsea v Brentford - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Leeds v Fulham

• Liverpool v Burnley

• Sunderland v Crystal Palace

• Tottenham v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Brentford" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Nottingham Forest are out of the FA Cup, but by far their biggest result last week was their win at relegation rivals West Ham to end a four-game losing streak in the league.

I don't see Sean Dyche's side getting anything here, though. They lost their two previous home games against Manchester City and Everton, and Arsenal will make it a hat-trick of home defeats.

This is the sort of game that Mikel Arteta's side seem to know how to win. It might be close, but I'd still back the Gunners to find a way.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

After a potentially pivotal top-flight away win against fellow strugglers West Ham and an FA Cup exit on penalties in Wrexham, Nottingham Forest play at home for the first time in 2026.

Opponents Arsenal are unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions and moved one step closer to the Carabao Cup final in midweek by beating Chelsea in the first leg of their semi-final tie.

Trouble by the Trent

Angry Forest head coach Sean Dyche rebuked his much-changed side for a "completely unacceptable" first-half performance at Wrexham which left them trailing 2-0 before fighting back in vain.

Dyche's withering assessment could just as easily be applied to Forest's home form. Six defeats at the City Ground so far is their joint most after 10 home league matches of a season. They have only once lost seven of their first 11 and that was in 1908.

Forest have already lost and conceded more often at home than in the whole of last season. Nonetheless, the collapse in their home form began as far back as April. Forest have had as many managers as wins - three - in their past 14 home league games, and only West Ham and Spurs have fared worse at home during that time among teams currently in the division.

Arsenal's unsung game changer

League leaders Arsenal are also top of the Champions League table with a flawless record, through to the FA Cup fourth round and will go into their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg early next month with a one-goal advantage over Chelsea.

Arsenal's resilience has been questioned during the past five seasons without a trophy, but summer signing Martin Zubimendi has infused the team with steel and composure. The defensive midfielder's imperious winning goal in midweek brought him rare headlines, even if the plaudits for his performances have been a regular theme.

"He can do whatever he wants," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the Chelsea game. "We just have to keep unlocking that in his brain, because he's so good at occupying different spaces, carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels and he has a talent when he gets into the final third and into the box. He's so composed, he sees the picture very clearly."

Zubimendi's importance to Arsenal is highlighted by the fact he has made the most starts and played the most minutes of any outfield player at the club. He also leads the way for interceptions, an indicator of his astute reading of the game, while only two central or defensive midfielders in the Premier League have been involved in more passages of open play leading to a shot.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (kick-off 17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta did not provide any specific updates on team news and just confirmed he would "need to meet the medical staff and have the training session now to see if somebody is available for the weekend".

• The Arsenal boss said he has not seen any doubt from Viktor Gyokeres and praised his attitude: "He is a very demanding person. He knows the level we want and he wants to fulfil the level we expect of him. He has been very consistent. He had a great game against Chelsea and scored to help us win the game."

• He added: "What he's done in the last few years, he has set the standard and it's a standard we expect him to maintain. It's part of the expectations, not only for Viktor but every number nine in the league. We expect them to be really good and consistent. That's what he has to try to do."

• Arteta insisted they can "only focus on what we can do" when asked about Manchester City playing before them on Saturday, adding their "only focus and aim is to prepare for a very, very tough match and we have to win it".

• On the form of his side: "We are building very good momentum. And the belief comes from performances and the level of consistency we have shown already this season. What we did at Stamford Bridge should help us to be very convinced that we have the ability."

• Arteta "fully" agrees with Thomas Tuchel's comments on the importance of players needing social skills to make World Cup squad: "It is something that's incredibly necessary and many times undervalued. There are players who do not have impact in terms of minutes but they have the impact in and around the team to bring everybody together and create that atmosphere to support the team. It is critical in my opinion."

• He is "very happy" in the "manner that Martin Zubimendi has settled at the club", adding: "He has earned the respect of everyone here very, very quickly and of the supporters. He's very humble, very focused. Incredibly consistent. And on top of that, he has surprised a few people with his ability to attack in the box."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary of Nottingham Forest v Arsenal on Saturday from 17:30 GMT on BBC Sounds

Scarlet Katz Roberts
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

You might call Mikel Arteta a marginal gains merchant, you might call the Emirates Highbury Library.

You might see Arteta's quest to improve the home atmosphere as something of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.

Look, the Emirates doesn't evoke the dizzying rush of Anfield or the kamikaze bear pit of the Stadium of Light, we have our own thing (and an excellent home record).

Arsenal fans appreciate artistry. We respond when coaxed by an act of brilliance. But marginal gains are ever more important when competing against the mismatched resources across the Premier League elite, just ask the 'big six' haters.

It goes without saying that atmosphere can contribute to sporting success - how many points does the fear factor of St James' Park earn Newcastle per season? Sunderland will surely stay up too, in part because of the difficulty teams have faced when playing them away from home. Arteta knows this all too well.

Unstoppable force, immovable object. The Emirates atmosphere in the last few seasons has been… better, particularly compared to those sterile late Wenger years or the briefly painful Emery tenure. Arteta and the powers that be have worked hard on hype videos, crowd displays, light shows - to varying degrees of success.

We recently received the news that Arsenal would be introducing safe standing in the Clock End for use next season, and in the North Bank the following summer. I welcome this! Where I sit, often people get into disputes because some want to stand for the whole match, meaning some have their view obscured. Infighting in the crowd is surely not a marginal gain.

I understand that some people are physically unable or unwilling to stand for long periods, hence the need for designated standing areas - where those who are keen can stand.

One aspect of Tottenham's (sad to say it) impressive stadium project, is the way they've integrated safe standing as one detail among others, shape, pitch, acoustics, to improve atmosphere. Of course, you do need something on the pitch to get excited about. Regardless, Arsenal implementing safe standing is a sign of a club that is inward looking, flexible and willing to try things.

You can hear more from Scarlet at the Goal Difference podcast, external

Chris Collinson
BBC football data analyst

With more than half of the season gone, we have enough stats to get a good idea of how well Premier League teams have been playing and therefore how things will likely unfold in the months ahead.

Expected goals tells us how well teams do the basics of football by creating lots of good chances up front and limiting their opponents to few, difficult ones at the back.

With the figures based on how Premier League teams have performed in the past, history shows that the higher a team's xG difference - the more they dominate games - the more chance they have of success.

So what do the stats tell us? If sides keep performing at around the level they have so far, then it is good news for Arsenal. The team with the highest xG difference has won the Premier League in three of the past four seasons.

The exception was in 2023-24 when Manchester City won the title despite Arsenal having the best underlying numbers.

It is interesting that Arsenal are not dominating games as much as they did two years ago, but City are not the unstoppable force they have been in previous seasons under Pep Guardiola either.

Expected goals is not perfect and there are aspects of football that can never be captured on a spreadsheet, but history shows that it has a great track record for predicting a team's long-term success.

What else does xG predict for the rest of the Premier League season?