Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League - Mikel Arteta has made a big decision to make in attack for London derby at Emirates Stadium

Mikel Arteta was once again forced to line up without a recognised striker as Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw by Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

Arsenal lost more ground on leaders Liverpool in the Premier League title race after being held to a 0-0 draw by Nottingham Forest. In a contest between second and third at the City Ground, neither side were able to claim the win needed to boost their lofty ambitions this season.

Mikel Merino promised to keep doing whatever Arsenal need after overcoming his initial shock at being thrown on as a makeshift striker to score a match-winning double at Leicester.The club’s failure to bring in a striker during the January transfer window was quickly compounded by losing top scorer Kai Havertz to a season-ending hamstring injury.

Premier League result and reaction as frustrated Gunners drop points in title race - Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal: The points were shared at the City Ground

Buoyed by Everton’s last-gasp equaliser in Wednesday's Merseyside derby, Arsenal took the chance to close the gap on Liverpool, though they had to be patient on Saturday. After losing Kai Havertz to a season-ending injury,

Premier League team news and line-ups as Gunners face Mikel Merino decision - The Gunners hope to close the gap on Liverpool with win over the Hammers

Mikel Merino scored twice against Leicester to secure a vital win. He dedicated the victory to his wife Lola as a way of making up for Valentine's Day blunder.

He later admitted he had not played up front since he was nine but that was no issue for Merino, who headed Arsenal in front on 81 minutes from Ethan Nwaneri’s cross before claiming a second six minutes later with a first-time finish from Leandro Trossard’s centre to seal the win.

Mikel Merino has never been a big goalscorer. The most he has managed in his senior career in a single league season is five, and that has only happened twice in 10 years. At Newcastle United he scored once in 24 Premier League appearances and just shy of ...