Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League title are all but over after the Gunners’ 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta wanted to see a reaction from his Arsenal squad following the disappointing defeat to West Ham but, the North Londoners dropped points once again.
The goalless draw against Forest meant that Liverpool extended their lead at the summit to 13 points, making Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League title incredibly slim.
Arteta’s players looked dejected at full-time at the City Ground as the game was unable to be won, seeing the Gunners’ struggles in the final third drag on.
Riccardo Calafiori substitution vs Nottingham Forest questioned
For all of Arsenal’s efforts, it was the same old story as Arteta watched his side fail to make a breakthrough.
The Gunners’ injury list has been punishing this season, with the influx of absences hitting the squad hard, as seen through the state of the Premier League table.
Leandro Trossard commented on Arsenal’s attacking struggles after the game but, one figure had the opinion that Arteta had limited his own squad in that area by making one early substitution.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Martin O’Neill shared his belief that Arteta should’ve taken a ‘risk’ with Riccardo Calafiori.
“Personally, if he wasn’t injured, I would’ve kept him on and taken the risk,” He said.
“Why not, you know? I know the news might’ve been coming through from Anfield and stuff but I still think you keep him on because he was a bit of a danger.”
Calafiori was substituted due to his early booking, as Arteta made it clear at full-time that it wasn’t an option for Arsenal to run the risk of being reduced to ten men.
O’Neill thought otherwise, insisting that the ‘danger’ that the Italy international brought to the left side was one strong point from the opening half at the City Ground.
Calafiori’s performance at the City Ground was puzzling
The substitution was necessary as Calafiori ran the risk of being sent off against Forest’s tricky wide players but, the defender certainly offered a lot going forward.
Arsenal fans were puzzled by Calafiori’s role in the match, as in some instances, the 22-year-old was seen taking up space in the centre-forward area.
It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the left-back had the best chance of the first half to score but, his early hooking saw his hot and cold display come to a premature close.
Could Calafiori have scored the goal Arsenal needed to win? O’Neill thinks so, questioning why Arteta hauled the summer signing off.
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