The Gunners were toothless up front once again as they were held to a frustrating stalemate at the City Ground
Arsenal's injury-ravaged attack drew a second successive blank as a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday put pay to any lingering Premier League title hopes.
In a game of few chances, it was the Gunners who did much of the pressing and there was certainly a response from Mikel Arteta's side to the dreadfully disappointing performance against West Ham at the weekend.
If anyone was going to score it looked like being the visitors, with Riccardo Calafiori curling one excellent effort against the post in the first half. Makeshift centre forward Mikel Merino forced Matz Sels into a sharp stop in the second half and Kieran Tierney also went close with a header which he put just wide from Martin Odegaard's corner.
At the other end, the hosts rarely threatened, although David Raya was forced into action to keep out Chris Wood's snap shot before both teams were forced to settle for a point.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the City Ground…
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David Raya (7/10):
Didn't have much to do. Played as a sweeper for most of the game. Was alert to keep out one effort from Wood in the second half.
Jurrien Timber (6/10):
Neat and tidy. Did his job well defensively, but offered little in attack.
William Saliba (7/10):
Dealt well with the threat of Wood in the central areas. Strong.
Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):
Excellent once again. Made one superb tackle to deny Wood after a Forest breakaway in the first half.
Riccardo Calafiori (6/10):
Booked inside a couple of minutes and given a tough time defensively by Hudson-Odoi. Was a threat going forward though and curled one excellent effort against the post before setting up Nwaneri for a chance. Replaced at half-time, presumably because of the early booking.
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Jorginho (6/10):
Brought into the side and did what was asked of him. Nothing spectacular, but kept the ball moving. Replaced by Zinchenko as he tired midway through the second half.
Declan Rice (6/10):
Went close with one effort in the first half which was deflected over. Did his best to drive forward and get towards the box. Looked like he was on his last legs in the second half.
Martin Odegaard (6/10):
Another game where the skipper failed to have much of an influence. Can't fault his work ethic, but he's just not getting in areas to hurt the opposition at the moment. His team needs more from him.
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Ethan Nwaneri (6/10):
Some flashes of quality. Produced one lovely turn on the edge of the box but didn't get his shot away quick enough.
Mikel Merino (7/10):
Used as the makeshift centre forward again, although he was roaming all over the pitch. Put a shift in, but was never really a threat in open play. Did force Sels into one good save from a corner.
Leandro Trossard (5/10):
End product just wasn't really there all night. Crosses were overhit and his touch was off at times.
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Kieran Tierney (6/10):
On at half-time for Calafiori. Put in one wicked cross and also sent a header just wide from a corner.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (5/10):
Made one good run through the lines to set up a chance for Odegaard, but was flagged offside.
Raheem Sterling (N/A):
No impact after coming on for the final 10 minutes.
Ben White (N/A):
On for the last few minutes.
Thomas Partey (N/A):
On for the final stages, scuffed one shot wide.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
He will be much happier with his team's performance, but has to somehow come up with a way of making this team a threat.