Match Preview: Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

On a potentially title-deciding weekend in the Premier League, we suffered our first home defeat at the hands of West Ham United. We bid to keep our slim title hopes alive as we take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Wednesday night.

Although Premier League glory is still mathematically possible, it would not only require an almost perfect finish to the season – including a rare win at Anfield – but also a total capitulation on Merseyside.

High-flying Forest – who are seeking their highest Premier League finish since 1995 – have been the surprise team of the season under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo. After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, it would have been beyond Forest's wildest dreams to be fighting for European football alongside the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle.

While they chase European football for the first time in nearly 30 years, they will face stern competition from the Premier League's underperforming giants, and they will almost certainly need to improve their league form, having suffered three defeats in their last four outings.

Where did it go wrong for Mikel Arteta and his men?

This season is likely to be the third time in a row we finish as Premier League runners-up. The only other time this has happened in the league's history was between the 1998/99 and 2000/01 seasons – when, once again, it was Arsenal in second place.

So, the question on everyone's lips is: why weren't we ready to capitalise on Manchester City's slump?

After a questionable summer transfer window, where the general consensus was that a recognised striker was essential to elevate the team to the Premier League title, only one attacker was brought in: 30-year-old loanee Raheem Sterling, who has yet to score in the league.

This has put added pressure on players like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli to increase their output while playing even more minutes. This has proven costly, as all three mentioned have been struck by injuries, leaving Mikel Arteta with extremely limited resources – an issue that has significantly contributed to the drop in performance levels this season.

Although these injuries have forced new patterns and relationships to be formed between fringe players, the squad is lacking the fluidity and rhythm that was symbolic of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal just two seasons ago. Even at the start of the season, when all our players were fit and available, there seemed to be a reliance on set-pieces for goals – a strategy that just isn't sustainable.

Questions have already been raised over how the board decided not to bring in a single player in January, despite the obvious lack of experienced heads to fill the void left by our mounting injury list.

The pressure is growing on the team to deliver silverware and avoid being remembered as the team that never quite reached their potential.

What the managers say ahead of Wednesday

Mikel Arteta:

On the weekend's results and how it impacts the title race: "It was a very disappointing weekend. In the previous 15 games we had won 10 and drawn five, exactly the same as Liverpool, with exactly the same goal difference, which is +23. So we've been extremely consistent over the past three and a half months, considering everything we've been through."

On whether he thinks we can still win the Premier League title: "If not, I will go home. Mathematically, it's possible. You are there, you have to play every game. Three days ago, we could close the gap, it doesn't matter, we have to continue to go."

On Nuno Espirito Santo's achievements at Forest: "Unbelievable, what they're doing and what he's done. It's a remarkable story, so well done to them"

Nuno Espirito Santo:

On the recent good form at home and whether they can take confidence from that going into Wednesday's game: "I hope so. We hope that the City Ground helps us because we need all the help we can get against such a tough opponent."

On what he's learnt about his side when faced with adversity: "We react better than before. We didn't react to a tough time at Bournemouth but we reacted well against Newcastle."

Team News

Mikel was asked about the fitness of Martinelli, Saka and Ethan Nwaneri ahead of our encounter with Forest.

He confirmed Ethan was just cramping [v West Ham] and hinted this was because of his increased load in recent weeks.

Bukayo and Gabriel Martinelli are "progressing really well" after their hamstring injuries but are still a "bit far" from coming back.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are long-term injuries and will not feature again this season.

Nuno announced that there were a few players carrying knocks that will need to be assessed before Wednesday, but didn't disclose who.

There were no notable admissions from their last outing at Newcastle.

Stats and Facts

In a season filled with bad omens for Arsenal, a positive one emerges in this fixture, as Forest have lost seven of their last eight Premier League games against us.

We have won 12 of our last 13 Premier League matches after 7pm in the Premier League.

Ethan Nwaneri scored his first Premier League goal against Forest in the reverse fixture at the Emirates. The 17-year-old could become just the second player to score home and away goals against an opponent before turning 18 in a single PL campaign, along with Wayne Rooney (against Arsenal in 2002-03).

Forest boss Nuno has lost each of his last three PL meetings with us and could suffer 4+ consecutive league defeats against the same opponent for just a third time.

New Zealand international Chris Wood has been involved in six goals in his last three home games in the competition (5 goals, 1 assist).

Match Officials

Yorkshire-born referee Andy Madley will officiate our clash with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.

He has yet to referee either team in the Premier League this season, but did overlook our Third Round FA Cup exit – where he sent off Manchester United's Diogo Dalot.

He averages four cards shown per game in the PL this season.

Referee: Andy Madley

Assistants: Eddie Smart, Craig Taylor

Fourth Official: Anthony Taylor

VAR: Michael Salisbury

Assistant VAR: Lee Betts