Here is every word Mikel Arteta said in his post-match press conference following Arsenal’s draw at Nottingham Forest
20:21, 17 Jan 2026
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, addresses the press after draw with Nottingham Forest
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Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, addresses the press after draw with Nottingham Forest(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta spoke to the media following Arsenal’s Premier League stalemate with Nottingham Forest. The scoreline matched that of the result from last season, and the Gunners have now won just once in their last five visits to the City Ground.
There were moments to score through Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka, but they were not taken. Ola Aina is embroiled in some VAR controversy after a potential Arsenal penalty was waved away despite a touch from the defender’s arm onto the ball.
Arteta gave his thoughts on all the topics and on the decisions to rotate in a Premier League match with Inter Milan up next.
Here is every word from Mikel Arteta’s post-match press conference:
Mikel, you thought you should have a penalty?
We came here to win the game and we haven't managed to do that for different reasons. It's great to them because they are really well organised and they are really good at breaking momentum when you have certain dominance in the game. But the players had four massive challenges as well, with Martinelli on open goal, Declan Rice attacking, Mikel and the header of Bukayo.
And on top of that, obviously, a very clear penalty in the box that is not even given. So, without conceding a single shot on target, again, the fact that we haven't won the game is disappointing. And on top of that, I think we can do things better.
With Manchester City losing today, was it a lost opportunity or the fact that you gained a point? How are you looking at it today?
Yeah, every week is an opportunity, obviously, and we want to win every game. And if we would have done that, we would have been in a different position. But we made a step, a smaller one than the one that we wanted, but it's a step.
You mentioned there that there were things you wanted to see improved. I was just wondering what they were. Were they similar to the Liverpool game, where your team didn't score?
No, I think it was different. The style is completely different. And what we had to do with it was, especially after regaining it in a chaotic situation, which is what they proposed, we'd like certain composure on the next two or three passes to be in the right areas to be able to dominate the game and not have these chaotic moments as often as we did.
And then, yeah, credit to them as well, because in every game that I've seen against them as well, it's a team that is very difficult to break down. So when you have those moments, you have to make them, because then you start to face a different game.
You changed the wingers today from midweek. Is that a case of the games catching up with the squad a little bit, or what's the thinking there?
Yes, a lot. Obviously, they had a lot of minutes. So we need to manage our players, and we have some fantastic players that can provide different things.
And we did try from the beginning. We tried after half-time as well, taking more risks, and bringing even more players in those attacking options. And we tried in every way, and it wasn't enough, unfortunately.
Viktor Gyokeres put in arguably his best performance of the season in midweek against Chelsea. Were you disappointed with his showing today at all?
No. Obviously, we want the players to be decisive at this level, because we need them to score goals and create moments.
We can unlock the door and get an opening, which changes the game normally. We have a match to take that, and that's our responsibility.
Do you feel like you could be further ahead in the title race?
If we win every game, yes. But unfortunately, we haven't won today, and the opportunity that we wanted to take, we haven't managed to do that.
Just on the penalty, the match centre said it hit his shoulder first, and then his arm is in that position.
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Yeah, right. He hits the shoulder, and then he takes the ball with the hand. So, the explanation is not right, but the rest is OK.
The order is OK, but the timing and the intention of the play is very clear. If not, I wouldn't be sitting here, and in my opinion, it's a very clear penalty.