Arsenal won’t stop hearing about their missed opportunity in the Premier League title race against Nottingham Forest, and rightly so.
For the second time in the space of a week, Arsenal had the chance to capitalise on Manchester City dropping points and failed.
The Gunners drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, a result that, despite extending Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table, raised questions about Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal are seven points clear at the top, but it could’ve been 11 had they beaten Liverpool and Forest.
Describe your emotions after Arsenal drop points vs Nottingham Forest
Steven Gerrard’s prediction about Arsenal’s title chances
Though the Arsenal squad don’t watch Man City’s games, they would’ve all been aware of Pep Guardiola’s side wilting at Old Trafford.
Martin Keown and Steven Gerrard commented on the significance of Man City’s defeat before Arsenal kicked off at the City Ground.
Gerrard shared his title prediction on TNT Sports, which now, is just so much more frustrating to hear.
“City will come again, City are capable of putting a long run of games together but you have to say, if they [Arsenal] go and do the job today in good fashion, with the goal difference as well, it’s almost like ten points, you’d definitely say they’ve got one hand on it, it’s theirs to lose for sure.”
Arsenal didn’t get the job done and looked as far as they could from enhancing their goal difference, which is infuriating.
If it were the first time that the Gunners had failed to pick up points when City didn’t, there perhaps wouldn’t be as much discourse, but even the players know it’s becoming a regular occurrence.
Declan Rice’s words at full-time against Forest said it all, as the midfielder said, “Every f——- time,” in reaction to the missed opportunity.
Notable change made to Opta’s Premier League title prediction
For some, the reaction seems crazy given that Arsenal are still seven points clear and without a shadow of a doubt the strongest team in the Premier League.
That doesn’t excuse the feeling of disappointment from the result, as there are still so many minutes to play, and Man City aren’t the Gunners’ only concern.
Fill the blanks, if Arsenal don’t win the Premier League, it’ll be because of ________
Arsenal are Opta’s favourites to win the league, but on matchday 22, a significant change happened, as Aston Villa overtook City as Arteta’s biggest threat.
After the Forest draw and before Villa’s match against Everton, Opta’s supercomputer final table prediction read that Arsenal have a 86.70% chance of winning the league, with Villa following with a 6.65% chance and Man City with a 6.53% chance.
It’s expected that Arsenal will be fixated on beating City to the title, given how the previous three seasons have gone, but Villa can’t be forgotten.
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