Arteta: 'Regardless of the Manner, the Team Is Showing a Great Attacking Flow'

Mikel Arteta has brushed off criticism of how Arsenal are scoring their goals, insisting his side are "showing great attacking flow" as they prepare for a testing trip to Nottingham Forest.

The Gunners return from the international break in fine form, beating Leeds United 2-1 in the Premier League before sweeping Lille aside 3-0 in the Champions League. That double has restored confidence at the Emirates, and Arteta believes the fluidity in his forward line is exactly where it needs to be.

Asked about Arsenal scoring more goals from open play this season, the manager was quick to push back: "We are getting criticised for scoring goals!"

"Regardless of the manner that we score them, the team is showing a great attacking flow," Arteta said. "We've scored some beautiful goals, but the value is exactly the same.

"I think we have to be a team that is able to score in many, many ways and that will make it harder for the opponent."

Strong Record, Narrow Margins

Arsenal's recent domestic numbers underline why Arteta is relaxed. The north London club have won 14 of their last 17 Premier League games, losing only three — although nine of those victories have come by a one-goal margin.

In the last two seasons, Arsenal have won 17 games by a single goal, the most of any side in Europe's big-five leagues, a statistic that speaks both to their efficiency and to the fine margins they have had to manage.

Arteta is adamant the end result matters more than the route taken: "We're going to try really hard to score goals and to prevent goals as well. It's going to be a really tough match; they're an extremely well-coached team."

The City Ground Hoodoo

The manager's caution is well-founded. The last two Premier League meetings between Forest and Arsenal at the City Ground have ended goalless, with the Gunners firing in 40 shots without finding a way through — a record Arteta is desperate to break.

Overall, Forest have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games against Arsenal (D2 L8) — a 1-0 home victory in May 2023 — and the Tricky Trees have failed to score in each of their last four.

"We know that, we already have experience with Oliver [Glasner] in the past, and they're a team that, at home, can create a really special momentum, so we are ready for it," Arteta added.

Glasner: 'This Is What We Are Facing'

Forest manager Oliver Glasner acknowledged the scale of the challenge, and was generous in his assessment of the opposition.

"It's huge credit to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal. It's now a team that has been built over years and always at the beginning finding a core and then always adding the right pieces," Glasner said.

"It's not just the quality, it's also the mentality in how they play. I think in every game this season they were outrunning the opposition. It's incredible. The effort, the mindset Mikel created there is incredible."

Glasner also highlighted the depth at Arteta's disposal: "They have so many world-class players they can react from the bench. It was now in the second consecutive game where the players who came on had a huge impact, and this shows the quality they have.

"This is what we are facing, and I think the structure of how they are playing, everybody knows and analyses, but the way they execute it makes it so difficult."

A Difficult Run for the Hosts

Glasner's own record offers little comfort. The Forest boss has just five wins in 29 games (D9 L15) since a 2-1 win at Fulham put his Crystal Palace side fourth in the league on December 7 last year — a run spanning his final months in south London and the start of his tenure at the City Ground.

The two sides' contrasting trajectories make Saturday's meeting a genuine test of Arsenal's title credentials away from home — and of whether their "great attacking flow" can finally produce a goal where it has been missing for two straight visits.