Mikel Arteta insists he is relishing the task of addressing Arsenal's issues as they prepare to visit Nottingham Forest for what could be a crucial game in the Premier League title race.

Arsenal's 15-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end with a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham on Saturday, with Jarrod Bowen heading the only goal late in the first half. 

They are now 11 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, albeit with a game in hand. That gap has led plenty of onlookers to suggest the title race is over, but Arteta insisted on Tuesday he will not give up on the Gunners' hopes.

They have lost forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz to injury, meaning midfielder Mikel Merino played as a makeshift striker last time out.

Speaking at Tuesday's pre-match press conference, Arteta said: "It's been incredibly satisfying to work every day with the players, the coaches and the staff to try to overcome certain situations. 

"The problem is when you are there, you want more and more."

Merino struggled to have an impact when leading the line against West Ham, but Arteta is not worried about using him in that position again.

"Attacking players depend a lot on what the team is generating, the chemistry, the fluidity, the areas we are hitting, and how we interact with each other," he said.

"It worked really against Leicester, but the other day there were a lot of things missing."

Building up to Forest, together.

Sobha Realty Training Centre  pic.twitter.com/p3tKC4MEq2

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 25, 2025

Arteta's opposite number Nuno Espirito Santo, meanwhile, believes there are more twists and turns to come at the top of the table.

"There is so much football to be played yet. There are so many things that can happen. There is still a long way to go," he said.

Nuno's team remain third but, following Sunday's 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United, they are coming under pressure in the race for Champions League football.

Reflecting on Forest's run of three losses in four games, Nuno 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 reacting now."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood

Wood has been involved in six goals in his last three home Premier League games (five goals, one assist), netting a hat-trick against Brighton last time out at the City Ground.

This is the first time he has scored in three home games in a row in the competition. However, he has only netted once in 12 Premier League appearances against Arsenal.

Arsenal – Ethan Nwaneri 

Seventeen-year-old Nwaneri scored his first ever Premier League goal in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Forest in November's reverse fixture and has since netted two more in the competition. 

The only player to score home and away goals against an opponent before turning 18 in a single Premier League campaign is Wayne Rooney (for Everton versus Arsenal in 2002-03).

MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN 

Nottingham Forest have won five of their last six Premier League home games (D1), as many as they had in their previous 20 (D4 L11).

They lost 2-1 to Arsenal in this exact fixture last season, but they have not lost successive home league games against the Gunners since losing four in a row between 1987 and 1990.

Back home on Wednesday. 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 Forest. 

In his entire managerial career, the only sides against which he has suffered four or more consecutive league defeats are Benfica (four from 2012 to 2014) and Liverpool (seven from 2018 to 2024).

Arsenal need the three points here, and they have a strong record in evening kick-offs.

They have won 12 of their last 13 matches kicking off at 7pm UK time or later, including their last nine in a row since suffering a 2-0 home defeat to West Ham in December 2023.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nottingham Forest – 25.7%

Arsenal 47.9%

Draw – 26.5%