IT'S TIME TO EXORCISE GHOSTS AND MAKE A TITLE STATEMENT

THE City Ground holds painful memories for Mikel Arteta.

- Simon Collings

It was there two years ago where Amazon's fly-on-the-wall documentary caught a furious Arteta ripping into his players in the dressing room after Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup.

Last season, it was where their title bid ended, as a 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest confirmed Manchester City as champions.

"I was devastated," said Arteta about that loss in May. "I remember being in one room and in a difficult place, because then you realise that everything you have done, all the hope and joy that you have created, is not happening. That's the only picture and feeling that I had there." Tonight, Arsenal can lay those ghosts to rest at the start of what could be a huge week in the title race.

The game at Forest is followed on Sunday by a showdown with Premier League leaders Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.