Nottingham Forest have lost seven of their last eight League games against Arsenal

Nottingham Forest return to the City Ground on Wednesday night as they take on fading title hopefuls Arsenal in the Premier League.

The Gunners had their lengthy unbeaten run snapped by West Ham United at the weekend, and their deficit to league leaders Liverpool is now 11 points after the Reds claimed their first win away at Manchester City in a decade on Sunday.

Arsenal’s title chances have taken a huge hit, but Mikel Arteta supplied a defiant stance in his pre-match press conference. His team won’t be giving up on the season anytime soon, but a tough test awaits.

Nottingham Forest still sit in third despite losing back-to-back games, but the top half of the table currently looks mightily congested. Fulham are just eight points back from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in tenth.

Forest have been excellent at home this term, losing just twice and conceding ten goals in 12 games. They embarrassed Brighton on their most recent home outing at the start of February and can close the gap on the Gunners to three points with a win in midweek.

Nottingham Forest continue to enjoy a clean bill of health, with midfielders Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo returning to action over the past month.

Forest’s only absentee is back-up goalkeeper Carlos Miguel. Taiwo Awoniyi was back on the bench at the weekend and is expected to wear a protective mask if he takes to the field against the Gunners.

Ryan Yates should return to Nuno’s midfield, partnering the impressive Elliot Anderson.

Forest predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Yates, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.

Ethan Nwaneri limped off in the second half of Arsenal’s crushing defeat at the weekend, although Arteta provided a reassuring update post-match and the teenager is expected to be fit for Wednesday’s game.

Ben White made his first appearance since mid-November against the Hammers, but the right-back enjoyed only a brief cameo. He’s unlikely to be thrust into the starting XI at the City Ground.

Raheem Sterling has an impressive scoring record against Forest and could return to Arteta’s team, with Mikel Merino dropping into midfield and Leandro Trossard functioning as a false nine against the hosts’ imposing backline.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Forest (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling.