Mikel Arteta admitted that Arsenal was missing a “spark” after his goal -minded players had drawn a blank.
Arsenal fell further behind the Liverpool leaders and the title race looks so good with Artetas that it just did not find for the second game. But Arteta insisted that they will not give up their season, not even after admitting Wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are not close to a return.
Gunners -Baas Arteta said: “It doesn't feel right. We are here to win. But we showed indisputable character, how much we wanted and tried.
“We dominated the game. We tried it in many different ways. We have sustained but were missing that spark, the latter only to unlock a well -organized team. We have to generate more shots on goal.
“It was a very different standard than the West Ham match on Saturday. We defended with energy, goal, fighting, willingness to make things happen. It wasn't because we missed that. We tried it until the end, but couldn't do it. “
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are out for the season, while Saka and Martinelli are still on schedule to return after the international break.
Arteta added: “Gabby and Bukayo have been out for a long time, so we can't hurry. Maybe Gabby is just before Bukayo, but we will have to find solutions and work with what we have.
“But there is a lot left in the season and there is a lot to play for. The Champions League is a wonderful competition and we look forward to playing in it. All we can do is win our competitions and see how many points we get. “
Forest Boss Nuno said: “We played well. We were aggressive, determined and the big positive was a clean slate. We missed the city and it gave us energy and an atmosphere. It was huge for us. “
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