Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche spoke to BBC Match of the Day following their goalless draw with Arsenal: “Competing against top teams is always challenging. The level of commitment varies; sure, there’s the commitment to score, but we also need to focus on maintaining our shape, the fundamentals, and putting in the hard work. I felt our team executed that superbly.
“Although Arsenal had a few opportunities, they are an exceptional team in great form. Achieving a clean sheet against them is a significant accomplishment. We created a few chances ourselves, but breaking through their defense has proven to be difficult this season.
Advertisement
“Arsenal’s set-pieces generated a lot of tension, but I thought Sels and the entire team handled it well. There was a crucial save when the ball came over Merino’s head; he saw it late, but Sels made a fantastic leap to get a fingertip on it. That was undoubtedly a pivotal moment for us as well.”
“As for the penalty incident, it was a close call; he was being pulled down as he entered the box. It’s a contentious point, and I know you’ll bring up their penalty. It’s crucial to tread carefully regarding these situations; if people consider that a penalty, then we have to question why it wasn’t awarded. Frankly, I’m relieved it wasn’t given, since the current interpretation of handball is quite perplexing. It would have felt exceedingly harsh if that call had been made.
“You could see he was nudged from behind by one of our players, but you can’t control every nudge. We need to be cautious—there’s a significant discussion about handball rules at the moment, and if those types of decisions are made, we have to reconsider our stance.”
“I thought Elliot Anderson played brilliantly today, alongside Callum Hudson-Odoi. Nicolas Dominguez excelled off the ball, showcasing the qualities us managers truly appreciate—his tactical awareness and diligence were impressive. Additionally, Ibrahim Sangare provides a solid presence, understanding his positioning, which allows Elliot more freedom to express himself on the pitch.”
Advertisement
“There’s plenty of positives to take from this match. We’ve secured four points against some top teams recently. Facing opponents like Manchester City and Aston Villa are no easy tasks, so I’m glad we’ve walked away with another point.”
Did you know?
-
Nottingham Forest recorded their first goalless draw in the Premier League since February 2025, coincidentally against Arsenal at home as well.