Mikel Arteta expects a tough test in this weekend’s trip up to Nottingham Forest, where we look to get another Premier League win in Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off.
We’re six points clear at the top of the table ahead of the weekend, while Sean Dyche’s side sit 17th in the division, seven points ahead of the relegation zone following a 2-1 win away to West Ham United.
There was Emirates FA Cup disappointment since then though, as Forest lost 4-3 on penalties away to Wrexham after a 3-3 draw in the third round.
Asked what challenges Forest pose under Dyche, our manager said in his pre-match press conference: “A top coach, really good at what he does. You can see straight away the fingerprints in the team, the way they play, the results that they got against some of the big teams as well, how difficult they constantly make it for you, so experienced in the league, so a very tough match.”
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Commenting on whether it’s more difficult to play a team fighting to avoid relegation, Mikel continued: “I don't know, it depends on the day what the game presents, but obviously when you're in that situation you certainly want to get out of that and you might have an extra edge about you.
“But you want to win, the hunger to win as well and the motivation and the drive to do that is incredible as well. So every team will handle the emotional part in their way, we have to focus on what we do.”
Recent trips to The City Ground have provided a mixed bag of results for us. Following 2023’s 1-0 defeat there, we won 2-1 in 2024 before drawing 0-0 in 2025.
“Well winning away from home in the Premier League is extremely tough,” Mikel added. “They are a team that we have beat over the last few years and we have done a lot of things right to beat a really good team. With Sean, they are different, very, very efficient in what they do, very clear identity and that’s what makes them very dangerous.”
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