Arsenal struggled to hit top gear in a disappointing first half against Nottingham Forest this afternoon.

The Gunners failed to register a shot on target in a forgettable opening 45 minutes despite having the bulk of the possession at the City Ground.

The visitors, who were hoping to close the gap to Premier League leaders Manchester City back to three points, offered very little going forward with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze creating little.

Forest were without key midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White due to injury but still created the first half-chance with Dan Ndoye firing a shot into the sidenetting after 20 minutes.

Arsenal responded by almost going ahead from a corner seven minutes later. Forest failed to clear Saka’s right-wing delivery, enabling Gabriel to attempt an audacious back heel that appeared to be heading in before hitting defensive partner Ezri Konsa and Forest got the ball clear.

Arsenal had another opportunity seven minutes before the break. Saka won a free-kick with a shocking dive under minimal contact from Xaver Schlager and Declan Rice’s whipped delivery was headed over by Havertz when he arguably should’ve done better.

Havertz then shot into the side netting from a tight angle as Arsenal cranked up the pressure approaching half-time.