Arsenal were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Nottingham Forest in a Premier League match played on January 17, 2026. This result denied the Gunners a significant opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to nine points, especially after rivals Manchester City had dropped points earlier in the day. The match saw several key moments, including missed scoring opportunities by Arsenal forwards. Gabriel Martinelli was noted for failing to convert a major chance, with the ball bouncing off his heel near an open net. While the original article mentioned Viktor Gyokeres missing big chances, it's important to clarify that Gyokeres is indeed an Arsenal player, having been signed from Sporting CP in the summer of 2025 for a reported €66.9 million. He received a 5.5/10 rating for his performance in this specific game, indicating a subdued outing in front of goal. The game was also marred by a significant VAR controversy. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was adamant that his team was denied a "very clear" penalty when the ball appeared to strike Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina's arm inside the box. However, VAR reviewed the incident and decided against awarding a penalty, ruling that the ball initially hit his shoulder and his arm was in a natural position. Arteta publicly voiced his disappointment regarding this decision and the team's inability to capitalize on other clear-cut chances. Nottingham Forest's resolute defense earned them a valuable point, though it was a setback for Arsenal's title aspirations in the 2025-26 Premier League season.