Forest's wait for a home goal goes on after Arsenal defeat published at 19:37 BST
19:37 BST
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
It has been eight hours and 26 minutes since Nottingham Forest scored at the City Ground.
Had it not been for Ezri Konsa's excellent block to thwart Liam Delap in stoppage time, that run would have been broken but, instead, Forest are still looking for a first home goal since May.
It was only in the final few minutes against Arsenal that they really threatened, with Chris Wood having a shot blocked and Murillo shooting over.
Defeat, following Noni Madueke's deflected effort, also leaves them pointless at home and keeps Oliver Glasner's side in the Premier League's relegation zone.
"It feels very harsh, it feels unfair, but we have to accept it. We are missing some bits. The performance in many parts was very good. Giving them one shot on target, it's deflected, and we lose feels even tougher," said Glasner.
"What I take from today's game is another frustrating result, but we can be very tough to play against. In every single game we create moments where we can score.
"We will get the results we all feel we deserve."
Defeat keeps Forest in the bottom three of the Premier League ahead of Friday's trip to Ipswich.
Glasner added: "I have no doubts in what we are doing. It has proven right so often, and I am really confident we will go where we want to be. We are not there today but we will be."
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal: What Glasner and Murillo saidpublished at 19:18 BST
19:18 BST
Media caption,
Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Very tough to take, a bit of deja vu. Many things here we feel the result is unfair, but it's what stands, and it's zero points at home.
"Very good performance against the champions. We caused many problems, didn't give them a lot and, at the end, we have zero points. It's tough today. It feels a bit unfair, but on the other side it's our responsibility to not drop the head and build up on the performance and the many positive aspects.
"Feels a bit weird to have a third defeat in a row but I see progress in every game and today the effort was amazing, - it was just the result we can't be pleased with.
"Huge credit to the players, they stick to the plan, and then we had our moments and if you want to win against the champions you have to take these moments and this is what we have to work on - to take the moments.
"When I see the reaction at the end, three big opportunities in the end, many set pieces and things to improve. Eight corners, but we didn't take one and this is what we have to learn and improve, and we'll get the results we all think we deserve."
On a lack of confidence in front of goal: "I don't think so. When you see their goal, it's deflected, otherwise it's straight to the gloves of Matz Sels. You have periods in football where you feel everything going against you and then there are periods when things are on your side.
"Now it is how we deal with the situation and react as a team and just how we can change this is staying positive, sticking together and working hard. And having this coolness, not to worry too much, because I can see good performances and not good results. The results will come if the performances stay good.
"It's like the stock market - the past never tells you what happens in the future. Sometimes it takes a while - during my first year at Palace we didn't start well but we had a turnaround.
"We are playing better right now, but we also concede how competitive the Premier League is because every mistake you get punished. Today I was pleased with the team."
Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, speaking to Sky Sports: "We knew it would be a tough game, it is always against Arsenal. They have a good team.
"But we feel we can change the result, maybe a draw, maybe a win. Now we have to put it in the past and focus on the next match.
"We have a good manager and I think we are still getting his ideas. We changed everything in our system this season. It is difficult, but after three or four months we keep improving, and I think we are close to reaching our best."
Did you know?
Nottingham Forest have won just one of their last 15 Premier League games at the City Ground (D8 L6); since the first of these matches (27 December 2025), no ever-present side has won fewer home games in the competition.
Along with Schalke 04, Nottingham Forest are one of just two sides without a home league goal in Europe's big-five leagues this season.
Listen to more from Glasner below or on BBC Sounds
Oliver Glasner delivered memories Crystal Palace fans perhaps never thought they would experience by winning the FA Cup and the Uefa Conference League with the Eagles.
He left and became head coach at Nottingham Forest in the summer, but the City Ground's Glasner era is not quite going to plan in these early stages of the season.
Forest have managed just one win in the Premier League - a 2-1 win at Aston Villa - but their home form will be starting to become a serious concern.
Victory against the defending champions was always going to be a lot to ask, even with Arsenal not at their best, but the failure to get a goal in this game means Forest have not yet scored a goal in four home league games this season.
Their struggle to make opportunities count in the final third is the main issue. They had 14 shots against Arsenal but only two went on target.
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal: How the players ratedpublished at 18:47 BST
18:47 BST
Nottingham Forest starting XI:
Matz Sels: The goalkeeper was untroubled with Arsenal struggling to create clear chances until Forest's resistance was broken with 10 minutes left. 6
Murillo: He took a blow to the head in the first half which required treatment and almost grabbed an injury-time leveller following some great skill. 6
Ousmane Diomande: It was only the summer signing's fourth Premier League start but he has settled well and looked to be helping Forest to a positive point. 6
Jair Cunha: Has become a dependable member of Oliver Glasner's side and was unlucky when Madueke's shot clipped him and flew in. 6
Neco Willams: Booked in the first half and was unable to threaten from wing-back while his usual reliable deliveries did not meet his usual standards. 6
Xaver Schlager: The midfielder has slotted in well to the Forest engine room but was unable to influence the game this time. 6
Nicolas Dominguez: Neat and tidy in the middle in his first Premier League appearance of the season but naturally ran out of steam. 6
James McAtee: Without the injured Morgan Gibbs-White the onus fell on him to be a creative force but, while he worked hard, could not find that spark. 6
Daniel Munoz: Tested David Raya in the first half and tried to get forward, especially in the first half, but more will be needed. 6
Dan Ndoye: The forward shot wide early but there was little end product and he was unable to get the better of Riccardo Calafiori. 6
Liam Delap: Enjoyed the physical battle with Arsenal's defence and was a nuisance to Ezri Konsa and Gabriel but did not get close to a goal. 6
Nottingham Forest substitutes:
Ibrahim Sangare (on 74, Dominguez): Stopped at the crucial moment to allow Arsenal to regroup and score. 5
Arnaud Kalimuendo (on 74, Ndoye)
Chris Wood (on, 85, Cunha)
Callum Hudson-Odoi (on 85, McAtee)
Subs not used: John Victor, Yates, Netz, Milenkovic, Aina
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Sutton's predictions: Nottingham Forest v Arsenal published at 11:04 BST
11:04 BST
Nottingham Forest held Arsenal 0-0 here last season but I don't think they have got a clean sheet in them this time.
Forest were actually pretty good in their defeat against Crystal Palace, but just didn't take their chances.
I can't see them causing Arsenal too many problems, however. The Gunners had a good win over Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday and this should be just as comfortable for them.
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:26 BST 17 October
13:26 BST 17 October
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal face struggling Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday (16:30 BST) as they seek to continue their fine form after returning from the international break.
The Gunners have not been at their best in their past two fixtures, but they have battled well to earn a 2-1 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League and a 3-0 win against Lille in the Champions League.
Forest have yet to fire under new boss Oliver Glasner. They have suffered two consecutive defeats, with a disappointing 3-1 loss at Crystal Palace following a 1-0 reverse at home to Coventry City.
Glasner and Forest yet to get going
Glasner's style of play has yet to fully click at Forest, although their biggest issue so far this season has been a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.
Only Tottenham, with a conversion rate of 4.72%, have a worse record in the Premier League. Forest also have the biggest differential between their expected goals (xG) and the number of goals they have scored, with figures of 10.30 and five respectively, leaving them at -5.30.
Glasner's side have also missed the most big chances in the Premier League this season, with 17, while they have hit the woodwork a league-high six times.
The head coach will be frustrated, as his team's poor form continues a trend we saw towards the end of last season, when he was the head coach at Crystal Palace.
Glasner has won just five of his last 29 Premier League games, and his win percentage of 17% is the second-lowest of any manager to have taken charge of 20 or more games, ahead of only Rob Edwards (13%).
Arteta finding an edge off the bench
The squad depth at Mikel Arteta's disposal has been key since the start of last season, with the high-quality options off the bench helping the Gunners get over the line.
Since the start of the previous campaign, Arsenal have recorded 25 goal contributions from substitutes - 13 goals and 12 assists - more than any other club in the top flight.
Two of those goals have come in the past three matches, with Bruno Guimaraes netting long-range strikes to clinch the points for the champions against Sunderland and Leeds.
Arsenal have also had to find different ways to score this season, as their set-piece effectiveness has dwindled compared with last year.
The Gunners are yet to score from a set-piece in the Premier League in 2026-27. It is the first time they have failed to score from one in any of their first six games of a season since 2011-12.
In terms of underlying numbers, their expected goals from set-pieces per 90 have fallen to 0.31 this season, down from 0.56 in the previous campaign. Their expected goals from corners have also declined, from 0.37 to 0.18.
Arsenal are taking more short corners on average, accounting for 18.5% of their corners this term, compared with 13% in the Premier League last season. The Gunners are also yet to take a single outswinging corner in their first six games, although they took just seven in the whole of last season.
Image source, Getty Images
