Nottingham
Arsenal
Match Commentary
Nottingham vs Arsenal Match Overview: 0-0 Premier League
Nottingham and Arsenal served up a tense, chance-heavy stalemate as the Nottingham vs Arsenal Result finished 0-0 on 17 January 2026. The Nottingham vs Arsenal Score will read like a quiet afternoon, but the story was anything but: Arsenal created the clearer openings, Nottingham defended with real grit, and Matz Sels turned the match into his personal showcase. In a Premier League match report defined by near-misses and VAR drama, this Nottingham vs Arsenal Match Report is ultimately about control without a cutting edge and a home side that refused to buckle.
First Half
Arsenal began with the ball and the intent, moving it sharply through midfield and repeatedly testing Nottingham’s shape from wide areas. Early corners and crosses arrived in waves, with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli looking to pull the home back line out of position. Nottingham’s best early moment came when Nicolas Dominguez wriggled into a pocket inside the box and saw an effort blocked in a scramble that briefly lifted the City Ground crowd.
The match’s first major flashpoint arrived when Nottingham appealed for a penalty after pressure around the area, only for a VAR review to confirm no spot-kick. That decision didn’t settle the contest; it sharpened it. Arsenal continued to probe and should have been ahead when a Madueke volley caused chaos and the follow-up chance was squandered at point-blank range, a miss that felt like the kind title-chasing sides regret later.
Nottingham, though, weren’t just hanging on. They competed fiercely in duels, slowed Arsenal’s rhythm when they could, and looked for direct moments through Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White. By the interval, the pattern was clear: Arsenal had territory and threat, Nottingham had resolve and a growing belief that if they could just survive the next storm, the game might tilt.
- Arsenal’s early pressure brought a stream of corners and crosses, but Nottingham’s back line held firm.
- Nottingham had a penalty appeal checked by VAR and turned down, keeping the game on a knife-edge.
- A huge Arsenal chance went begging after a Madueke effort sparked a close-range opportunity that was missed.
Second Half
Mikel Arteta moved quickly at the break, reshaping Arsenal’s front line to increase the tempo and the unpredictability. The visitors responded with their strongest spell: sustained possession, runners arriving in the box, and shooting lanes opening at last. Declan Rice’s volley forced a sharp stop, and then the defining sequence arrived—Sels produced two outstanding saves, first denying Bukayo Saka’s header and then clawing away Mikel Merino’s powerful effort that seemed destined for the corner.
Nottingham, pinned back for long stretches, tried to release pressure with transitional moments. Gibbs-White had a sight of goal from range but dragged it wide, and Hudson-Odoi’s delivery threatened without quite finding the decisive touch. The final quarter became increasingly frantic, and VAR again took centre stage when Arsenal appealed for a handball in the area. The referee initially waved play on, checked the incident, and ultimately signalled no penalty—another moment that had both sets of supporters roaring for opposite reasons.
As stoppage time ticked away, Arsenal kept loading the box with one last sequence of crosses and set pieces, but Nottingham’s clearances stayed brave and clean. The final whistle confirmed the Nottingham vs Arsenal Score as 0-0, a draw that felt like a triumph of resistance for Nottingham and a missed opportunity for Arsenal.
- Matz Sels produced a pair of elite saves to deny Saka and Merino during Arsenal’s best spell.
- Arsenal’s late penalty claim for handball was reviewed by VAR and overturned, keeping the Nottingham vs Arsenal Result level.
- Nottingham survived a late aerial siege to secure a hard-earned clean sheet.
Nottingham vs Arsenal Stats Breakdown
The numbers underline why this match will be remembered as a story of dominance without reward. In the Nottingham vs Arsenal Stats, Arsenal owned 60% possession and generated an imposing 2.10 xG to Nottingham’s 0.34 xG, with 4 big chances to none. Arsenal also finished with 15 shots to Nottingham’s 6, and a striking 14 shots inside the box, showing how often they reached dangerous zones.
Yet the key detail is the finishing and the final touch. Arsenal managed 3 shots on target, and Nottingham registered 0, but Sels’ work turned those on-target efforts into frustration. Arsenal’s 9 corners kept pressure constant, while Nottingham’s 33 clearances tell you how often they were forced into last-ditch defending. From an xG analysis perspective, this was a match Arsenal usually win; from a full-time analysis viewpoint, it’s also proof that elite goalkeeping and disciplined defending can still bend the probabilities.
In short, the Nottingham vs Arsenal Analysis points to Arsenal’s control and chance creation, but Nottingham’s structure and Sels’ shot-stopping ensured the Nottingham vs Arsenal Result stayed locked at 0-0.
Nottingham vs Arsenal Lineups
Nottingham XI (4-3-3): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Sangare, Dominguez; Gibbs-White, Igor Jesus, Hudson-Odoi.
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli.
Substitutes used
Nottingham: Ndoye on for Igor Jesus; Hutchinson on for Dominguez.
Arsenal: Trossard on for Martinelli; Merino on for Odegaard; Saka on for Madueke; Gabriel Jesus on for Gyökeres; Eze on for Zubimendi.
Player of the Match
Matz Sels (Nottingham). When a game finishes 0-0 despite Arsenal producing a heavy chance profile, the goalkeeper’s fingerprints are everywhere. Sels’ reflex saves—especially the stops from Saka and Merino—were match-defining, and his calm handling under a late barrage helped Nottingham manage the moments that usually break teams.
What the Result Means
For Nottingham, this is the kind of point that can shape a season: a clean sheet against elite opposition, earned through organisation and nerve. It also offers a blueprint for future fixtures—stay compact, compete in second balls, and trust Sels to win you the crucial moments.
For Arsenal, the Nottingham vs Arsenal Highlights will feel painful because the performance contained everything except the finish. The build-up play and chance creation were strong enough to win, but the lack of a decisive touch and the VAR decision late on ensured the Nottingham vs Arsenal Result remained goalless. In terms of Team A match today and Team B match today narratives, Nottingham will frame it as resilience; Arsenal will view it as points left on the pitch.
The match has just finished.
90+5'
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) sends a lofted cross into the box which is headed clear.
90+4'
Omari Hutchinson (Nottingham) clips an inviting cross into the box, but there's no one in a position to get on the end of it.
90+3'
The current number of corner kicks is 4:9.
90'
We will have 5 min. of added time.
90'
Ola Aina (Nottingham) obviously intended to delay the restart of play and the referee blows the whistle. Ola Aina (Nottingham) is rightly booked by the referee because it could not have been anything other than a yellow card.
89'
The referee signals that it is time for a substitution and Omari Hutchinson (Nottingham) will replace Nicolas Dominguez.
87'
A pass from Callum Hudson-Odoi gives Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham) a shooting opportunity on the edge of the box, but the effort is poor and goes well wide of the right post.
83'
The attendance for today's match is 30729.
82'
Declan Rice (Arsenal) swings in the corner kick, but one of the defenders leaps highest to head the ball away.
81'
Referee Michael Oliver signals NO PENALTY for Arsenal after a VAR review!
80'
There's a break in play and referee Michael Oliver must have got a signal in his ear as he indicates he will check that earlier penalty claim by Arsenal using VAR. This could be interesting!
80'
That looked a certain handball by Ola Aina (Nottingham) inside the box, but the ref wasn't having it and just played on. NO penalty!
79'
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) chips a pass over the line of defenders to get the ball to Eberechi Eze, but his attempt is intercepted and cleared. The ball is out of play. A goal-scoring opportunity from a corner for Arsenal.
79'
Mikel Arteta has decided to introduce fresh legs, with Eberechi Eze (Arsenal) replacing Martin Zubimendi.
78'
Michael Oliver interrupts the game for a tactical foul by William Saliba (Arsenal).
77'
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham) thinks that he is fouled by his opponent, but the referee deems him to be the one who commits a foul and awards a free kick to the other team.
76'
The referee stops play so that a substitution can be made and Igor Jesus leaves the pitch and Dan Ndoye (Nottingham) comes on.
75'
Half-chance! Mikel Merino (Arsenal) plays a pass into the box, but Matz Sels reacts well to snuff out the attack.
75'
The current number of shots on target for both teams is 5:12. The current number of shots on goal is 0:3.
74'
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham) crosses the ball into the box from the free kick, but the defence clears the danger.
74'
Gabriel (Arsenal) performs a sliding tackle but catches his opponent's legs. The referee blows his whistle for an infringement. Nottingham have been awarded a free kick.
72'
Mikel Merino (Arsenal) latches onto the free kick from Declan Rice, but heads just wide of the right post from close range.
71'
Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham) brings his opponent down with a tackle and Michael Oliver blows his whistle for a foul. A free kick is awarded to Arsenal.
70'
The resulting corner from Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) is cleared by the defence.
70'
Mikel Merino (Arsenal) attempts to convert a lofted cross as he jumps high and heads the ball to the bottom right corner. Matz Sels shows his brilliant reflexes and pulls off a glorious save to stop the ball from hitting the net. Arsenal earn a corner.
69'
The free kick from Declan Rice (Arsenal) failed to provide any scoring opportunity, as one of the defenders did a good job and knocked it out.
68'
Poor challenge! Murillo (Nottingham) is penalised for tripping and Michael Oliver blows his whistle. Arsenal win a free kick. It's a promising situation for a direct shot.
66'
Declan Rice (Arsenal) takes the corner kick but the ball only finds the head of an opponent.
65'
That was a brilliant piece of goalkeeping! Matz Sels dived superbly to block a header by Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) from around the penalty spot. His effort was directed towards the top left corner, but Matz Sels pulled off a remarkable save! The referee signals a corner kick to Arsenal.
64'
Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) tries to find Mikel Merino, but he puts too much power on the pass. The ball goes out of play and Nottingham will have a goal kick.
64'
The Arsenal players keep the ball and are exchanging a combination of passes. They are waiting for gaps in the defence to open up.
59'
Nothing comes of the resulting corner from Bukayo Saka (Arsenal). The defence is alert and manages to cut it out.
59'
Declan Rice (Arsenal) fires a volley towards the right side of the goal from the edge of the penalty box, but the goalkeeper pulls off a brilliant save. Arsenal force a corner. They send men into the box.
57'
The referee signals that it is time for a substitution and Mikel Merino (Arsenal) comes onto the pitch so that Martin Odegaard can be given a rest.
57'
Mikel Arteta prepares a substitution. Viktor Gyökeres is replaced by Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal).
57'
The referee stops play so that a substitution can be made and Noni Madueke departs the field of play to be replaced by Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).
56'
Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham) is quick to pick up the loose pass from Callum Hudson-Odoi. He tries his luck from mid-range, but it goes well wide of the right post.
55'
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham) steps up to take the corner. He launches the ball into the penalty area, but it only finds the head of an opposing player who clears the danger.
55'
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham) fails to find any of his teammates inside the box as his pass is blocked. The referee blows his whistle, Nottingham are awarded a corner kick.
53'
Murillo (Nottingham) sends a long ball across the pitch, but it misses its target.
52'
Declan Rice (Arsenal) brings an opponent down and Michael Oliver interrupts the game.
51'
Declan Rice (Arsenal) picks out Noni Madueke with a fine lofted pass, but the latter wasn't able to create some space to get into shooting range. It's a throw-in for Arsenal.
49'
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham) sends a short pass into the box, Morgan Gibbs-White takes a touch to control the ball, but one of the defenders robs him of it and clears to safety.
46'
The teams are back out for the second half and here is a change on the pitch. Mikel Arteta gives a chance to Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) is off.
46'
The second half gets underway.
45+4'
The first half of today's match has just finished.
45+4'
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham) launches an inaccurate corner kick into the penalty area.
45+3'
Ola Aina (Nottingham) tries to slide the ball through to a teammate but it's well blocked by a defender. The ball is out of play. Nottingham will have a chance to score from a corner.
45+3'
Nottingham control the tempo of the game by exchanging some accurate short passes.
45+1'
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham) found some space to play in a lofted pass, but he looks disappointed as none of his teammates managed to connect with it. The ball goes out of play and Arsenal will have a goal kick.
45'
3 min. of stoppage-time to be played.
44'
William Saliba (Arsenal) plays a long ball to Viktor Gyökeres, but the defence is well organised and manages to get it clear.
44'
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham) sends a cross into the box, but David Raya comes off his line to gather the ball.
41'
Noni Madueke (Arsenal) swings in a cross from the corner, but Matz Sels reads it well and gathers the ball.
41'
Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal) displays brilliant individual ability, gets inside the box and pulls the trigger. His promising effort is blocked by one of the defenders. Arsenal win a corner.
40'
Ola Aina (Nottingham) has the ability to send the ball deep into the penalty area from throw-ins and it can lead to very promising situations for his team.
39'
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham) sends the ball into the penalty area from a free kick just outside the box. The goalkeeper rises and gathers the ball. Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham) gets to the rebound just outside the box, but his attempt is blocked by one of the defending players.
38'
The Nottingham players can’t believe it after referee Michael Oliver signals NO PENALTY after the VAR review. Play to continue.
38'
Referee Michael Oliver makes the VAR signal and is going to check whether it’s a penalty for Nottingham. Let’s see what happens!
37'
The game is interrupted because of a yellow card that is shown to Jurrien Timber (Arsenal).
37'
Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) pulls the shirt of his opponent and the referee stops play for a foul. Nottingham have a free kick from a promising distance.
36'
Neco Williams (Nottingham) sends a lofted cross into the penalty area. Unfortunately for him, the opponent's defence deals with his cross comfortably and intercepts it.
35'
Noni Madueke (Arsenal) did his best to latch on to a crossfield pass, but it was too long and it goes out of play. The ball has crossed the sideline. Nottingham are taking a throw-in.
34'
Great teamplay by Arsenal as they control the ball with a lot of short passes. Patience is the key if they want to find a gap in the defence to score.
32'
Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal) breaks past challenges inside the box, but puts too much pace on his pass to Viktor Gyökeres.
31'
Total attempts – 1:7. The shots on goal statistics – 0:0.
29'
Noni Madueke (Arsenal) volleys the ball towards goal from the edge of the penalty box, but one of the defenders blocks his shot. Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) blows a clear opportunity! He needed only to tap the ball in, but narrowly misses the goal.
29'
Declan Rice (Arsenal) will deliver the corner kick.
28'
A cross into the box from Ben White (Arsenal) is cleared. Arsenal get a corner.
28'
Some great controlled play and passing in the middle of the pitch from Arsenal.
25'
The corner from Elliot Anderson (Nottingham) is intercepted by the defence.
25'
Ola Aina (Nottingham) sends a pass into the box, but his attempt is thwarted and cleared. Nottingham will have a chance to score from a corner kick.
24'
Murillo (Nottingham) sends a long cross over to Callum Hudson-Odoi, but David Raya comes forward to gather the ball.
21'
A thunderous effort from long range by Ben White (Arsenal) goes well wide of the left post.
20'
Noni Madueke (Arsenal) looks to break free, but an opposing player clears the ball away.
19'
A dangerous looking corner kick from Noni Madueke (Arsenal) is cleared to safety by the defence.
19'
The ratio of the ball possession is 39:61.
18'
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) dinks a cross into the box in an attempt to find one of his teammates, but the defence manages to clear. Arsenal will take a corner kick.
17'
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) is first to the rebound but his shot is blocked. Wow, what an escape there for the opposition.
17'
Declan Rice (Arsenal) swings in the corner, but the goalkeeper does a brilliant job to intercept the effort.
16'
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) tries to send a pass but it's blocked. The ball goes out for a corner. Arsenal can continue in their attacking effort.
14'
The game is interrupted now, Nicolas Dominguez (Nottingham) picks up a knock and the physio has to come on.
12'
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham) takes the corner which is cleared.
12'
William Saliba (Arsenal) seems to be alright and is okay to carry on.
12'
A defender unwittingly blocks the ball on the line after a snap shot from Nicolas Dominguez (Nottingham) inside the box following a slide rule pass. The ball goes behind for a corner. Nottingham will have an opportunity to threaten the opposition's goal.
10'
William Saliba (Arsenal) is clearly asking for some medical attention with his painful gestures. The extent of his injury is yet to be discovered.
10'
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham) sends a cross in and finds Igor Jesus inside the box, but one of the defenders steps in and clears the danger.
8'
A promising cross into the box is nearly received by the lurking Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), but one of the defending players cuts it out to avert the threat.
7'
Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) produces a dangerous lofted cross into the box which is intercepted.
5'
The resulting corner comes to nothing as Noni Madueke (Arsenal) sends it out of play. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Nottingham.
4'
A lofted cross from Noni Madueke (Arsenal) is unsuccessful as the opponent's defence quickly clears the ball out of the penalty area. The ball is out of play. Arsenal win a corner kick.
3'
Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) attempts to find his teammate with a pass from outside the box, but the opposition's defence is quick to react and thwarts the attack.
1'
The game is interrupted as Igor Jesus (Nottingham) is flagged offside.
1'
The referee blows his whistle and we are underway.
Nottingham will kick the game off.
Michael Oliver will supervise the game today.
Show lineups
The starting lineups for this match have been revealed.
Welcome to our minute-by-minute commentary of today's clash. You can enjoy a written form of everything important that will be happening on the pitch. Have fun.