Mikel Arteta has hit back at anyone questioning Bukayo Saka's commitment to England by insisting he would "send an MRI scan" to prove the winger was injured during this month's international break.

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta sends message to Bukayo Saka injury doubters after Nottingham Forest win - Gunners boss insists winger completed just one training session after withdrawing from England duty las

Your team has hit a creative rut that coincided with the absence of your primary playmaker? Get him back and all your problems evaporate. So yes, the semi-frequent leaden-footed attacking, sterile possession and clumsy decision-making that reared its unfamiliar head at Arsenal over the last two months was nothing more than a team unable to cope without Martin Odegaard.

Stunning strikes from Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey and a first Premier League goal for teenager Ethan Nwaneri gave Arsenal a first victory in five league games.

While Martin Odegaard is fit, Arsenal will feel they still have hope in this season’s Premier League title race. It may have been Bukayo Saka, substitute Thomas Partey and teenager Ethan Nwaneri who netted the goals that secured a first League win in five games for the Gunners.