Two Winners and three losers from Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest

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Arsenal visited the City Ground and an in-form Nottingham Forest side hoping to bounce back from a dismal defeat to West Ham United.

Mikel Arteta made one change to the defeat at the Emirates Stadium as Jorginho came in for Thomas Partey in the Arsenal midfield.

Riccardo Calafiori confused fans with his position in the first half and the Italian defender hit the post midway through the first half.

Constant pressure was applied in the second half but the Gunners were toothless in attack and have seen the feint Premier League title hopes slip even further from their grasp following the 0-0 draw.

READ MORE: Jorginho impresses but there’s a 4/10 – Arsenal player ratings vs Nottingham Forest

Arteta will be pleased with the improvement in performance but not the result. Here are the winners and losers from Arsenal’s stalemate at The City Ground.

Winners from Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest

William Saliba

Forest have been in great form this season and are a real threat going forward. Chris Wood currently holds a Premier League record.

However, the French international was phenomenal at the back for the Gunners and made a crucial tackle late on as Wood looked to be bearing down on goal.

He was his usual composed self on the ball and apart from his late challenge on Wood, he marshalled an Arsenal defence that never looked like conceding.

Riccardo Calafiori

When Calafiori received a booking in the second minute of the match, Arsenal fans may have been fearing yet another sending off.

However, the Italian international then took the first half by storm, appearing in multiple positions and had the Gunners best effort of the game when he hit the post with an excellent right footed effort.

Calafiori was brought off at half time, probably because of the booking, yet his performance would have given Arteta much to be pleased with moving forward.

Losers from Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal fans were furious with Odegaard against West Ham and although his performance against Forest saw an improvement, the skipper still failed to inspire his team over the line.

It is another game where Odegaard has failed to register a goal contribution and although there was a distinct lack of movement and clinical edge around him, the Norwegian failed to take the responsibility on himself.

Leandro Trossard

Much like Odegaard, Trossard is supposed to be the senior player in the Arsenal attack and the Gunners are relying on him to produce quality in front of goal to drag them through this tough period.

The Belgian was often bullied off the ball by full back Ola Aina and failed to really make any sort of impact on the game.

Arteta will need the duo of Odegaard and Trossard to step up and produce a moment of magic in their upcoming Champions League tie, now Arsenal’s only realistic hope of silverware.

Stan Kroenke

If you looked at the game as a neutral, Arsenal dominated and thoroughly deserved the three points however, Arteta’s side never looked like threatening the Forest goal due to have a central midfielder playing as an auxiliary forward.

Arsenal supporters will not be able to accept Kroenke’s decision to not sign a forward in the January transfer window and he has let his manager, players and supporters down with the decision that has ultimately cost Arsenal a shot at a title.