Winning the Premier League is never simple. Arsenal fans were reminded of that on Saturday night. A 0-0 draw away at Nottingham Forest left many people upset and worried. The feeling was clear at full-time. Even Declan Rice was seen swearing in frustration as the whistle blew. That moment said everything. Manchester City had dropped points earlier, and Arsenal failed to take advantage. Suddenly, the title race felt tense again.
✨ Declan Rice against Nottingham Forest:
• 2 big chances created
• 3 key passes
• 3 crosses
• 35 passes
• 62 touches
• 9 defensive contributions
• 5 duels won
• 4 clearances pic.twitter.com/6tFDpbVCMZ
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) January 17, 2026
Declan Rice Shows the Pressure at the Top
The draw against Forest was Arsenal’s second 0-0 game in a row. That alone caused concern; Arsenal had plenty of the ball, but they did not score. Meanwhile, Forest defended deep and stayed organised. Arsenal pushed, but the final pass and final shot were missing.
This is why seeing Declan Rice so angry mattered; he is calm, focused, and professional. If even he is frustrated, it shows how much pressure this team feels. Arsenal knew City had slipped. They knew this was a chance to pull further ahead. Instead, they left with one point.
Later that day, attention turned to Aston Villa. They had been unbeaten at home since August and were expected to beat Everton. If Villa won, Arsenal’s lead would shrink. Fans were nervous; many expected another bad twist. After all, Arsenal supporters have seen this story before.
Declan Rice and a Team in Their Prime
On the Same Old Arsenal podcast, the mood was low, not angry, just uneasy. For years, Arsenal had reasons for falling short. The team was young. The squad was thin. Injuries hurt them badly. Those reasons no longer fit.
This is not a young team now that Declan Rice is 27. Ødegaard, Eze, and others are in their best years. Many players are close to 30 and have long experience playing big games.
Arsenal also control games better than before. They often score first and slow matches down. They give opponents very few chances. Emotion has been taken out of their football. This is not a wild or reckless team. It is calm and organised.
Even injuries are no longer a big excuse. The squad is deep. Talented players were left at home against Forest because there were too many options. This is what title-winning teams look like.
Fan Reaction: Fear, Relief, and Old Memories
Then came a surprise: Everton beat Aston Villa. Unai Emery looked furious after the match. He even said Villa were not top-five contenders. That shocked many people.
For Arsenal fans, everything changed. The Forest draw suddenly felt better. Villa lost. Liverpool only drew too. Arsenal stayed seven points clear at the top. Social media flipped from panic to relief in minutes.
Still, fear remains; fans remember 2008 and remember 2016. They also remember 2023, being ahead does not always mean winning. That history makes every draw feel bigger than it should.
What It All Means Going Forward
This Premier League season is tough; every team can take points – there are no easy games. Even teams near the bottom can cause problems. Big leads are rare, especially in January.
Arsenal are not perfect; they still need goals and need sharpness. But they are in the best position. Seven points clear with a strong squad with a clear plan.
Nothing is getting to the end, nor is there a promising guarantee. But if you could choose where to be, you would choose this spot. There is still work to do; now Arsenal must go and do it.
Author’s Opinion
In conclusion, I think Arsenal fans are right to feel nervous but also wrong to panic. This team is not the same as before; they are older, stronger, and more prepared. Players like Declan Rice show how much this group cares about winning. That frustration comes from high standards, not weakness.
The league is hard, and every team drops points. What matters is position, and Arsenal are still seven points clear.
As featured on GoonerNews.com