Sean Dyche's side will be satisfied with a point, whereas Mikel Arteta will be frustrated that his side could not find the win.
The big chances in the game fell to the Gunners but they could not convert. Gabriel Martinelli missed from close range in the first half when he dragged his effort wide. Matz Sels made two excellent saves in the second half to deny Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino missed another headed chance.
Forest had moments, without having a shot on target in the game, it was a good performance from them against the league leaders. They kept their shape well and had some promising moments on the counter attack, without the real threat of scoring.
Ultimately, it is a point for Nottingham Forest and one they may not have expected to come away with.
There was a shout for a potential penalty late on, after a possible handball by Ola Aina but nothing was given after a VAR check.
Here are four takeaways from the game:
It is another good result against one of the top sides in the Premier League
Some of Forest's best results this season have come against some of the highest-ranked sides in the league. That is something that should give them reasons to feel optimistic that, on their day, they are capable of competing with any side.
It is natural that sides raise their games for the big occasions but Forest have gone away to **Liverpool**and won 3-0, they drew 2-2 with Manchester United, they beat **FC Porto**2-0 in the UEFA Europa League and put in an impressive performance to only lose 2-1 to a late goal against Manchester City. A draw against Arsenal is arguably one of their standout results of the season.
It was clear that every player put in a shift and it was a team performance to secure the point. Notably, every time a Forest player went in for a tackle the noise level inside the City Ground increased.
The challenge will be to match these performance levels and still find that level of consistency in some of the games where they will be expected to win. Albeit a changed side but Dyche certainly got a reaction after his team were knocked out of the **FA Cup**to Wrexham last week.
Did the lack of a goalscorer hinder the side?
Forest did not have a shot on target so they were unlikely to cause David Raya too many problems in the Arsenal goal.
Igor Jesus once again started up front but he did not see much of the ball. It was always going to be a tough game and the lack of a goal may not concern Dyche too much on this occasion but it is something that the club are looking at.
It appears that they are in the market for a striker this window, after sending **Arnaud Kalimuendo**out on loan. Notably, **Dan Ndoye**usually plays as a winger but he came off the bench in the second half to play down the middle, instead of bringing Taiwo Awoniyi on.
An improvement at just the right time?
Ibrahim Sangare made his return from **AFCON**and he was straight back into the side. He put in a good display in midfield and was able to protect his back four behind him. When Sangare is in the side it also frees up **Elliot Anderson**to get forward more and have time on the ball.
In recent performances, Anderson had look tired and his levels were not as high as he was achieving before so Sangare's return has come at a good time for the **England**midfielder.
Matz Sels has come back into the side in recent matches and he proved his worth with two outstanding saves in the second half.
Alongside the return of **Ola Aina**from injury at right back, it was the same back five and largely the same team as was so successful under Nuno Espirito Santo last year. That could explain the defensive solidarity and desire to keep the clean sheet against Arsenal.
Nothing has been achieved yet
After the win against West Ham last time out, there was a feeling that Forest were in a good position and could maybe start to look away from the drop zone and play with some freedom. Four points from two games represents a success and a positive turnaround, especially after their poor run of form over Christmas.
However**, West Ham,**unexpectedly, beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at the weekend and temporarily closed the gap to the bottom three to four points. Therefore, this proved a good point for Forest as it increased the gap to five points again.
The Reds will know that there is still a lot of football to play and that it can all change again. However, this point should give them confidence that they are capable of picking up results.
Next up, after a European match, in the Premier League is a trip to Brentford and that will be a tough game but Keith Andrews' side will now know that they too will have to be well-organised to break down this Forest side.