Mikel Arteta insists that he enjoys the task of tackling Arsenal's problems while they are preparing to visit Nottingham Forest for what a crucial game could be in the Premier League title.
Arsenal's 15-game undefeated run in the competition came to an end with a 1-0 home defeat against West Ham on Saturday, with Jarrod Bowen who led the only goal in the first half.
They are now 11 points on Drift from Premier League leaders Liverpool, albeit with a competition in hand. That gorge has led to many spectators suggest that the title race is over, but on Tuesday Arteta it was that he will not give up the hope of the Gunners.
They have lost Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz Voorwaarts to injury, which means that midfielder Mikel Merino played the previous time -out like an improvised striker.
Arteta said at Tuesday's press conference: “It was incredibly satisfactory to try to overcome certain situations with the players, the coaches and the staff every day.
“The problem is that when you are there, you want more and more.”
Merino had difficulty having an impact in leading the border against West Ham, but Arteta is not worried to use it again in that position.
“Offensing players are much dependent on what the team generates, the chemistry, the fluidity, the areas we touch and how we treat each other,” he said.
“It really worked against Leicester, but recently many things were missing.”
Build together into forest, together.
Sobha Realty Training Center pic.twitter.com/p3tkc4meq2
– Arsenal (@ARSENAL) 25 February 2025
Arteta's opposite song Nuno Espirito Santo now believes that there are more turns to come to the top of the table.
“There is still so much football to play. There are so many things that can happen. There is still a long way to go,” he said.
The Nuno team remains third, but after Sunday's 4-3 defeat against Newcastle United they come under pressure in the race for Champions League football.
Nuno reflects on Forest's run of three losses in four games, said: “This is the reality of the game. It is part of our journey. UPS and Downs.
“It is not always possible to perform well and sometimes your opponent is better than you, period. It's about responding now.”
Players to watch
Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood
Wood has been involved in six goals in his last three Home Premier League matches (five goals, one assist), making a hat trick against Brighton the previous time-out in the city area.
This is the first time he scored in three home games in the competition. However, he only noticed once in the 12 Premier League performances against Arsenal.
Arsenal – Ethan Nwaneri
Seventeen-year-old Nwaneri scored his very first Premier League goal ever in Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Forest in the Reverse Fermatuur of November and has since scored two in the competition.
The only player who scores home and road goals against an opponent before he turns 18 in a single Premier League campaign is Wayne Rooney (for Everton versus Arsenal in 2002-03).
Match forecast – Arsenal Win
Nottingham Forest has won five of their last six Premier League competitions (D1), as much as they had in their previous 20 (D4 L11).
Last season they lost 2-1 to Arsenal in this exact match, but they have not lost successive home images against the Gunners since they lost four in a row between 1987 and 1990.
Wednesday at home. pic.twitter.com/hrjrdehq3s
– Nottingham Forest (@nffc) February 24, 2025
Nuno has also lost each of his last three Premier League meetings with Arsenal, one with Tottenham and two with forests.
Benfica (four from 2012 to 2014) and Liverpool (seven from 2018 to 2024) are throughout his management career.
Arsenal needs the three points here and they have a strong record in evening kick-offs.
They have won 12 of their last 13 games that will start at 7 p.m. or later, including their last nine in a row since they suffer a 2-0 home defeat to West Ham in December 2023.
Opta wins probability
Nottingham Forest – 25.7%
Arsenal 47.9%
Drawing – 26.5%
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