Nuno Espirito Santo after Nottingham Forest's 0-0 draw with Arsenal. Nuno Espirito Santo after Nottingham Forest's 0-0 draw with Arsenal.

Nuno Espirito Santo stressed the importance of Nottingham Forest going back to basics in their goalless draw with Arsenal at the City Ground. (More Sports News)ababkf

Forest came into the clash after back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Newcastle United in the Premier League, putting their hopes of a top-four finish at risk. 

But they were able to hold on for a point against the Gunners, who failed to score in consecutive top-flight games for the first time since May 2023. 

The hosts ended the clash with an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.37, with Nicolas Dominguez and Chris Wood firing their only shots on target in a game of few chances. 

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Indeed, Forest drew 0-0 in the Premier League for the first time since October 2023.

Among current Premier League clubs, only Tottenham (107) were on a longer ongoing run in the top flight without a goalless draw ahead of this round of fixtures.

Asked whether the two countries were close to a breakthrough to revive the bilateral ties frozen for over four years due to the military standoff in Eastern Ladakh, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing on Friday that the two militaries realised disengagement in four areas and the situation along the border is stable.

"We are marching strongly and resolutely. I am sure if the state remains peaceful, the eco-system remains the same and there is cooperation and enthusiasm among the youth, then we will become a powerhouse in India’s landscape in the next ten years," the chief minister said.

Nuno's side stay third in the standings, with Manchester City a point behind them after their win over Tottenham. The Citizens are also Forest's next opponents in the league. 

Forest were also able to keep an 11th clean sheet of the season, with only Liverpool (12) managing more, a foundation that has helped their stunning rise this term. 

And Nuno cited that an improvement in defence was crucial.

"I'm very happy with the way we did things, the way we played against Arsenal,66jogo" Nuno told BBC Sport. 

"It's very difficult to play against them. They're a very good team. It requires a lot of effort. We were solid and compact. A very positive game.

"After this period, we conceded too many goals, so it was important to go back to basics - solid, clean sheet. We had a couple of moments to do it better.

"But in terms of the game, positive, because it was very important to go back to the team we are, that allows us to be successful.

"They have danger all over the place. Set-pieces are some of them. It requires focus. The boys did well. We prepared it.

"This is one of the main messages, more than anything, the feeling of being a team that doesn't concede too many chances, always in the right places, organised, balanced. 

"We have to enjoy the journey and realise it's not always possible to go with a victory. They saw a good team, a team who competed very well."

Opta's supercomputer hands Forest a 39% chance of finishing in the top fourababkf, although a top-five finish this season could well be enough to secure Champions League qualification.