Arsenal moved seven factors away from Manchester Metropolis on the prime of the Premier League however had been held to their second successive top-flight draw with a stalemate in opposition to fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest at The Metropolis Floor.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels leapt to push a looping header from Arsenal substitute Bukayo Saka behind throughout the second half in a recreation of few main possibilities, together with a primary half with out an try on course.
Matz Sels with an excellent save to disclaim Bukayo Saka 🧤@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/3SczvuCAKo
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) January 17, 2026
Forest supervisor Sean Dyche and Gunners counterpart Mikel Arteta had predictably contrasting views over a Video Assistant Referee resolution in favour of Ola Aina with 10 minutes remaining, ruling that the house defender had not dealt with inside his personal field.
Arsenal go to Italian leaders Inter within the Champions League on Tuesday (20:00 GMT) and host Manchester United within the league on Sunday (16:30), whereas are subsequent in motion at Portuguese aspect Braga within the Europa League on Thursday (20:00) earlier than visiting Brentford on Sunday (14:00).
You’ll be able to see stay textual content and stats updates as they occurred from Forest vs Arsenal right here.
VAR waves away appeals for a handball from Ola Aina ❌@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/a4zrd9egck
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) January 17, 2026
Forest vs Arsenal: Premier League leaders miss probability
Arteta’s substitutions recommend the Spaniard was unimpressed together with his strikeforce, beginning with Gabriel Martinelli’s alternative by Leandro Trossard at half-time.
Mikel Merino, Gabriel Jesus and Saka then got here on for Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard 12 minutes later, with Arteta maybe wishing Kai Havertz – who remained an unused substitute – was nearer to full health because the Germany worldwide continues his comeback from damage.
With Metropolis shedding 2-0 at Manchester United earlier on Saturday, the happiest contender with the day’s outcomes might be Aston Villa, who will rise three factors above the Cityzens and 4 behind Arsenal in the event that they win their recreation in hand at house to Everton on Sunday (16:30).
Nottingham Forest workforce vs Arsenal
Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare made his return following his Africa Cup of Nations 2025 marketing campaign with Ivory Coast, however defender Willy Boly, who was additionally a part of the squad, was not within the hosts’ squad.
Omari Hutchinson made approach for Sangare from the 2-1 win at West Ham on January 6.
Goalkeeper John Victor and striker Chris Wooden (each knee) remained out. Midfielder Ryan Yates was on the bench following a hamstring subject.
Nottingham Forest beginning XI: Matz Sels, Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Neco Williams, Elliot Anderson, Ibrahim Sangare, Nicolas Dominguez, Morgan Gibbs-White, Igor Jesus, Callum Hudson-Odoi
Forest substitutes: Angus Gunn, Morato, Taiwo Awoniyi, Douglas Luiz, Dan Ndoye, Omari Hutchinson, Ryan Yates, James McAtee, Nicolo Savona
Arsenal workforce vs Forest
Goalkeeper David Raya and Madueke and Martinelli got here in as Arsenal made three adjustments from their 3-2 win at Chelsea within the EFL Cup semi-finals first leg the earlier Wednesday.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Saka and Trossard moved to the bench. Winger Max Dowman was out with an ankle damage however defender Cristhian Mosquera was again among the many substitutes following the identical subject.
Full-back Riccardo Calafiori was out with an unspecified subject and defender Piero Hincapie had a hamstring downside.
Arsenal beginning XI: David Raya, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz, Myles Lewis-Skelly
“It isn’t like in my day!”
After all Sean Dyche is carrying shorts in the midst of winter 🥶🤣
🎙️ @lynseyhipgrave1 | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ccOG5NmzR6
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) January 17, 2026
Forest vs Arsenal stats
- Forest have misplaced eight of their final 11 Premier League video games in opposition to Arsenal
- All three exceptions have come on the Metropolis Floor since their return to the division in 2022 (1-0 in Might 2023, 0-0 in February 2025, 0-0 in January 2026)
- Forest have misplaced six of their 11 Premier League house video games this season (W3 D1), which is yet another than they misplaced on the Metropolis Floor in the entire of final season (W9 D5 L5)
- Forest have additionally conceded extra house targets this time period (17) than in 2024/25 (16)
- Arsenal have saved a clear sheet in every of their final 4 Premier League video games in opposition to Nottingham Forest, which is their longest run of league shutouts in opposition to the Tough Timber
- Arsenal failed to attain in consecutive league video games for the third time since 2022/23
- On every event when that has occurred, the thirdgame got here at Nottingham Forest (Might 2023, February 2025, January 2026)
- The Gunners are the one aspect to not have trailed by not less than two targets in a Premier League recreation this season, final doing so at Liverpool final Might
- Forest supervisor Sean Dyche has by no means seen his sides rating greater than as soon as in a Premier League recreation in opposition to Arsenal, netting eight targets in 20 conferences
- The Englishman has gained two of those 20 video games, with Burnley in December 2020 and Everton in February 2023
- Morgan Gibbs-White stays one objective or help away from changing into the primary Forest participant to register 50 objective involvements within the Premier League (22 targets, 27 assists)
Premier League outcomes and fixtures this weekend
Saturday’s motion started with Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scoring in United’s first house league match for the reason that sacking of supervisor Ruben Amorim.
All matches begin at 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT until said in any other case.
Saturday, January 17
Man United 2-0 Man Metropolis
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
Leeds United 1-0 Fulham
Liverpool 1-1 Burnley
Sunderland 2-1 Crystal Palace
Tottenham 1-2 West Ham
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
Sunday, January 18
Wolves vs Newcastle (14:00)
Aston Villa vs Everton (16:30)
Monday, January 19
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Bournemouth (20:00)
