Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has issued a pointed warning to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, urging him not to fixate on a controversial handball decision following the Gunners' frustrating draw with Nottingham Forest.
Missed Opportunity at the City Ground
The stalemate at the City Ground on Saturday, January 18, 2026, represented a significant missed opportunity for Arsenal. Earlier that day, Manchester City's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford had opened the door for Arteta's side to move nine points clear at the Premier League summit.
Instead, a resilient defensive display from Sean Dyche's Forest, coupled with Arsenal's wastefulness in front of goal, meant the London club had to settle for a single point. The result leaves Arsenal seven points ahead of both Manchester City and Aston Villa, with Villa set to face Everton on Sunday.
Arteta's Penalty Frustration
The major talking point after the final whistle was a first-half incident where the ball struck the arm of Forest defender Ola Aina inside the penalty area. Arteta was visibly aggrieved, insisting his team were denied a 'very clear penalty'.
'They are right, it hits the shoulder and then he takes the ball with the hand,' the Arsenal boss said in his post-match comments. 'The explanation is not right... the timing and intention of the player is very clear. If not I wouldn’t be sitting here saying it’s, in my opinion, a very clear penalty.'
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did review the incident but upheld the on-field decision, ruling that the ball had made contact with Aina's shoulder first and that his arm was in a natural position.
Gerrard's Analysis: 'Clutching at Straws'
Speaking as a pundit for TNT Sports, Steven Gerrard offered a contrasting view. While acknowledging there was a 'shout' for a penalty, he argued it was not as clear-cut as Arteta claimed and warned against using it as an excuse for dropping points.
'I think you’ve got to be careful that you’re not clutching at straws a little bit because that’s not the reason why they haven’t got maximum points today,' Gerrard stated.
He pinpointed Arsenal's profligacy as the true cause of their frustration, highlighting a golden chance for Gabriel Martinelli. 'I think it’s the Martinelli chance... that should’ve been a goal. I think nine times out of ten, most players at an Arsenal level, should be taking that chance.'
Gerrard concluded that Arsenal's performance was otherwise strong, but lacked a killer instinct. He suggested that an early goal would have forced Forest to abandon their deep defensive block and opened the game up for further opportunities.
The draw ensures the Premier League title race remains intensely competitive, with Arsenal's lead still substantial but now feeling more precarious after a weekend of mixed fortunes for the contenders.
