Arsenal endured a frustrating first half against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, struggling to convert their possession into clear scoring opportunities. According to a report by Flashscore on Sunday, October 18, 2026, Mikel Arteta’s side went into the break without a goal despite attempting to break down the hosts’ well-organised defence.

Kai Havertz was among the players who failed to take advantage of their opportunities, while Bukayo Saka struggled to make a decisive impact from the right flank. Declan Rice also had difficulties with his set-piece deliveries, and Ben White failed to provide the attacking precision Arsenal needed.

Havertz had two promising opportunities but could not find the target. In the 37th minute, the German forward headed over after connecting with a free-kick delivery. Four minutes later, he received the ball inside the penalty area but sent his shot narrowly wide of the right post, missing an opportunity to give Arsenal the lead.

Saka also found it difficult to get past Nottingham Forest’s defensive line. His early individual effort was blocked in the fifth minute, while goalkeeper Matz Sels dealt with his cross five minutes later. The England international was subsequently caught offside in the 23rd minute, and Forest defenders continued to limit the effectiveness of his deliveries.

Rice struggled to make his contribution count from dead-ball situations. Nottingham Forest cleared his long-range free-kick delivery in the 17th minute, while a foul by the Arsenal midfielder in the 44th minute gave the hosts an opportunity to threaten from a dangerous position.

White was another Arsenal player who struggled to produce the required quality in attack. He advanced into a promising position in the 28th minute and won a corner after a defender intervened, but his cross in the 32nd minute lacked accuracy and failed to trouble Forest’s defence.

Despite Arsenal’s attacking difficulties, the hosts were not entirely without opportunities. Dan Ndoye sent an effort wide, while Neco Williams’ stoppage-time free-kick was blocked by Arsenal’s defensive wall. David Raya also collected a dangerous cross to ensure the visitors reached half-time without conceding.

The goalless first half highlighted Arsenal’s need for greater precision and composure in the final third. Havertz needed to be more clinical, Saka had to find ways around Forest’s defensive resistance, and Rice and White needed to improve the quality of their deliveries.

Arteta’s side had controlled much of the possession, but their inability to turn that advantage into goals left the contest finely balanced heading into the second half.