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 boss Mikel Arteta has hit back at any suggestion that Bukayo Saka was not injured during the recent international break.Saka pulled out of England duty last week after coming off for the final 10 minutes of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea the previous Sunday.

Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners over Nottingham Forest with Bukayo Saka scoring before Martin Odegaard and Ethan Nwaneri found the net.

Mikel Arteta has talked up the credentials of interim sporting director Jason Ayto as Arsenal continue their search for Edu’s successor. Ayto had been Edu’s assistant for 18 months before the Brazilian opted to resign earlier this month.

Arsenal face a number of injury challenges ahead of their clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, with Mikel Arteta providing a mixed update on the status of several key players.Photo by Michael

As Arsenal returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta was handed a selection headache ahead of his side's next game at West Ham. The hosts took the lead through Bukayo Saka after the England international combined with Martin Odegaard on the edge of the area.

"It was good to see the impact of the substitutes [Thomas Partey - goal; Ethan Nwaneri - goal; Raheem Sterling - assist]. Everyone has to feel important. It was a good afternoon."

Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Arsenal’s easier run of fixtures and shortening injury list can reignite their title hopes over the hectic Christmas period. Arsenal currently find themselves nine points behind early Premier League leaders Liverpool and were winless in their last four league games prior to the international break.

Sterling joined Arsenal late in the summer transfer window on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea after the Blues had exiled him from their Premier League squad. The 29-year-old