Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta(Image: Getty)
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Mikel Arteta has described facing Nottingham Forest at the City Ground as a “beautiful challenge” for Arsenal.
The Reds go into Sunday’s clash with the Gunners (4.30pm kick-off) looking to bounce back from successive defeats. They will come up against an Arsenal side who have dropped Premier League points on only one occasion so far this season but who were in midweek action.
Arteta’s men beat LOSC Lille 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Immediately afterwards, the Arsenal boss insisted his attention had already turned to taking on Forest.
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Asked about Michael Olise being suspended for the Gunners’ next European encounter, against Bayern Munich next week, Arteta replied: “I think the beautiful challenge will be Nottingham Forest away, and we’ve experienced that over the last few years - we’ll make sure we’re ready for that one first.”
Arteta also provided an injury update in his post-match press conference. Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi both sustained ankle problems during the warm-down after last Saturday’s victory over Leeds United.
Courtesy of our sister title Football.London, Arteta said: "Zubi is much, much better. Piero is improving, but as I said, he looks more significant. I think it will be a matter of weeks, I think. We don't know exactly how many.
“Zubi is improving. Zubi is improving, yes. We have to see the moment he goes on that pitch, how he deals with the pain and still some small feelings that he will have, basically."
Forest have injury concerns of their own ahead of the weekend’s match. Striker Igor Jesus is expected to be sidelined for several weeks with a calf issue while defender Nikola Milenkovic missed last Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace due to bone bruising.
Prior to losing in south London, the Reds had been beaten 1-0 by Coventry City in their final outing before the recent international break. Head coach Oliver Glasner will be eager to sort out his side’s home form, given they are yet to score a goal in four outings at the City Ground so far this season.
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Nottingham Forest reporter Sarah Clapson
Nottingham Forest reporter Sarah Clapson
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