EMIRATES STADIUM — Arsenal supporters may have felt a pang of apprehension when they saw Mikel Arteta‘s much-changed team for the visit of high-flying Nottingham Forest. Arsenal’s recent wobble has provoked questions about the strength of their squad.

Arteta wants to build Nwaneri's career brick by brick but the teenager has already earned the respect and trust of his senior players

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.

Their first game back after the September international break was the north London derby against Tottenham. In his pre-match press conference, Arteta refused to rule his captain out entirely, saying simply, “Players with 48 hours to go are always available, but let’s see what happens.”

Martin Odegaard was left sidelined for months after sustaining a painful ankle injury during the September international break and Arsenal went to great lengths to keep his issue under wraps

Arsenal have made moves to land Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler - who is out of favour in Spain and seeking a move - whilst the loan signing of Raheem Sterling is criticised

Ethan Nwaneri scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s side beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 to secure a first league win since October 5. Arsenal had the ball in the net after five minutes at the Emirates Stadium when Jurrien Timber bundled it home from a free-kick but Mikel Merino was judged to be offside from the initial header.

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.