Arteta has also revealed the reason for Riccardo Calafiori ’s substitution at half-time was to ensure his side were not reduced to 10-men in successive Premier League games. Calafiori was handed a start against Forest in place of the suspended Myles Lewis-Skelly and had quite an eventful first-half.

Mikel Arteta provided an update on the fitness of Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori after Arsenal ’s goalless draw with Nottingham Forest. Arsenal knew only a win would likely keep their faint Premier League title hopes alive after their defeat to West Ham last weekend.

Arteta has admitted that Nwaneri’s progression has been faster than anyone at Arsenal expected, and he has revealed the two things that have surprised him – confidence and decision-making. He said, as per the Evening Standard: “It (Nwaneri’s development) is probably much faster than we all expected.