The Gunners ended a difficult week with a 5-0 win to move back to the top of the Premier League

Arsenal roared back to the top of the Premier League with a thumping 5-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Questions were being asked of Mikel Arteta's side for the first time this season following the draw at Southampton last weekend and the midweek defeat at PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.

But the Gunners answered those questions with a defiant response, brushing aside Forest with a convincing display to move back above Manchester City into top spot.

Gabriel Martinelli gave the hosts an early lead and then three quick-fire goals at the start of the second half – two from Reiss Nelson and one from Thomas Partey – put Arteta's side in cruise control.

A thumping finish from captain Martin Odegaard then put the seal on a near-perfect day for Arsenal.

The one negative was an injury to Bukayo Saka, which saw the England winger have to be replaced in the first half.

The Winners

Winner: Reiss Nelson

What a day for the 22-year-old.

There were a lot of worried faces around the Emirates when Bukayo Saka limped up in the first half, but Reiss Nelson soon calmed any fears about a nervy second half.

The winger scored twice in three minutes soon after the interval, his first league goals for Arsenal since he scored the winner against Liverpool 837 days ago.

It was a big moment for Nelson and it was clear by his reaction how much the goals meant to him.

And with Saka potentially set for a spell on the sidelines, he has surely now put himself right at the top of the pecking order to replace the 21-year-old on the right-hand side of the attack.

Winner: Gabriel Martinelli

If ever someone needed a goal, it was Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian endured a torrid evening during the defeat at PSV Eindhoven on Thursday night, producing by far his worst performance of the season.

But he bounced back in impressive fashion against Forest, scoring the early goal that got Arsenal off to the perfect start.

Martinelli started the move with his sweeping ball out wide to Bukayo Saka and then finished it with an excellent header on the run.

It was just what was needed after his horror show in Eindhoven.

Winner: Mikel Arteta

This was the type of performance Arteta would have been dreaming of ahead of kick-off.

After drawing at Southampton and losing at PSV, all eyes were on Arsenal going into the game – especially with Manchester City knocking them off top spot in the Premier League 24 hours earlier.

It felt like a really big game for Arsenal given the past couple of performances and Arteta would have been slightly nervy going into it.

So he would have been delighted by the response from his players, who were under a bit of pressure for the first time this season.

It was the perfect way to go into next weekend's game at Chelsea.

AdvertisementThe Losers

Loser: Bukayo Saka

The sight of Bukayo Saka limping off after just 27 minutes was an extremely worrying one, for Arsenal and England.

As always seems to be the case, Saka was on the end of some hefty challenges while he was on the pitch – not least the one that left him floored by Renan Lodi inside the first minute.

The Arsenal winger never looked right from that point onwards, although he was still able to set up Gabriel Martinelli's early goal.

It was soon clear that he wouldn't be able to continue and Mikel Arteta will now be sweating on the 21-year-old's fitness ahead of next Sunday's trip to Chelsea.

With the World Cup just three weeks away, Gareth Southgate will also be a concerned man.

Loser: Jesse Lingard

There is no love lost between Lingard and the Arsenal fans following his time with Manchester United.

Lingard has enjoyed some good days against Arsenal in the past, scoring four times against them and his social media post proclaiming the Emirates Stadium as 'his dance floor' after netting during an FA Cup tie has never been forgotten in north London.

So it was no surprise to see the Arsenal fans mocking Lingard as he was hauled off by Steve Cooper soon after Thomas Partey had made it 4-0.

The former England international certainly wasn't doing any dancing this time around.

Loser: Gabriel Jesus

Another game without a goal for Jesus.

He played well and got two assists, but you could see the frustration in the Arsenal's striker's face that he hadn't got on the scoresheet himself.

He had chances, especially one in the second half which was kept out by Dean Henderson, but he just couldn't find a way of finding the net.

That's seven games in all competitions without a goal for Jesus and he will be desperate to end that run as soon as possible.

The fact Mikel Arteta didn't replace him even though the game was dead and buried long before the final whistle was a sign that the Arsenal boss was equally as keen to see his forward end his barren run.

Arsenal Ratings: Defence

Aaron Ramsdale (6/10):

Only had two comfortable saves to make all afternoon. Barely broke sweat.

Ben White (8/10):

Excellent. There can't be a more in-form England defender right now.

William Saliba (7/10):

Breezed through the contest with ease.

Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):

Survived one horror moment in the first half, other than that he was solid.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (7/10):

Preferred again to Tierney and didn't let anyone down.

Midfield

Thomas Partey (8/10):

Brilliant goal which capped an impressive performance.

Granit Xhaka (7/10):

Had a big part in the second goal. Another good display.

Martin Odegaard (7/10):

Lovely finish to make it five.