Manchester City saw their pursuit of the Premier League title take a significant hit on Wednesday night after a frustrating encounter with Nottingham Forest, allowing league leaders Arsenal to extend their advantage at the top of the table. Heading into the match, City were five points behind Arsenal but still had control of their destiny in the title race. Victory in their game in hand against Crystal Palace, followed by a win over the Gunners next month, would have firmly reignited the championship battle for manager Pep Guardiola and his side. However, events on Wednesday night unfolded differently. City’s home clash with Nottingham Forest failed to go according to plan, and with Arsenal striking early in their own fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion, the pressure intensified around the Etihad Stadium. By the end of the evening, the gap at the top had stretched from five points to seven, giving Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta a further boost in the title race. Despite the setback, City found encouragement in the continued form of Antoine Semenyo, who has impressed since his January move from AFC Bournemouth. The forward has quickly adapted to Guardiola’s tactical system, displaying the composure and understanding of a player who has been part of the setup for years rather than months. Semenyo underlined his growing importance by opening the scoring against Nottingham Forest, netting his seventh goal in just two months.