Arteta: Giving up the title race will be over my dead body, and this is the state of the team

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta appeared at a press conference to talk about tomorrow's match against Nottingham Forest in the 27th round of the Premier League.

The manager said about the state of the team: "Bukayo Saka and Martinelli are really progressing well in their recovery, but it's still a bit far for a return."

He added about Ben White's return: "He is a player who has given us something very special, it's great to have him back, more options, his energy, and the way he interacts with the team. We have definitely missed him."

Regarding the title race: "It was a very disappointing weekend after losing to West Ham, in the previous 15 matches we won 10 and drew five - just like Liverpool with exactly the same goal difference. So we have been very consistent over the past three months considering everything we have been through. We generated this momentum and that was the week where we had to go again but we suffered a defeat. Moreover, Liverpool won."

He continued: "When you try to overcome this momentum and we put in a lot of effort under the circumstances we have, it was really hard to take. The truth is there are many games to be played and you have to bounce back."

Arteta was asked if losing to West Ham was one of his most frustrating days as a coach: "I don't know, it's not frustration, it's a feeling of knowing how much effort we put in to be where we are, when you have the chance to take another step and then on Wednesday you have to take another step and then on Sunday - especially with the form Liverpool is in. It was a tough step, especially at home where we were very solid."

About Nottingham Forest coach Nuno Espírito Santo: "Incredible. Not just with [Nottingham Forest] but what he did at Wolverhampton was unbelievable. A great pride for him and the coaching staff and the club as well. What they have achieved since entering the Premier League is a wonderful story, so well done."

He emphasized: "Giving up on the title race? Over my dead body, if it's not possible I'll go home. Mathematically, winning the title is possible, you're in it, you have to play every game, suddenly three days ago we could have reduced the gap with Liverpool and you say you're one and a half games away, but it doesn't matter, we have to keep going."

He stressed: "If you are going to win the Premier League, you have to do something special. If you are going to win the Premier League under the circumstances we have, you might have to do something that no one else has done in the history of the Premier League."

He concluded regarding whether the England national team has missed Ben White: "That's up to Thomas Tuchel to decide whether he will call him up, not me."