Arteta says he's been impressed with Arsenal defender in training recently

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would have been very pleased with his side’s response to Thursday’s defeat against PSV Eindhoven.

They recorded their biggest win of the season yesterday, dominating Nottingham Forest 5-0 to return to the top of the Premier League.

He will have absolutely loved the impact Reiss Nelson made off the bench after replacing the injured Bukayo Saka.

The young winger scored twice and provided an assist as the Gunners tore Forest apart.

Arteta was also able to give another player his first Premier League appearance of the season.

Cedric Soares came off the bench for the final 27 minutes of the match in place of Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Arteta admitted after the game he’d been really impressed with Cedric’s conduct in training this season.

Cedric has been in and out of Arsenal’s matchday squads this season, and recently recovered from a knock he picked up last month.

The £75,000-a-week full-back is now available and another option for Arteta to use in defence.

Arteta impressed with Cedric in training

Speaking after Arsenal’s emphatic win, Arteta said: “It was time for the players to enjoy that moment, they earned it.

“We had so many games, a lot of emotions, that they’ve been through and as well to give some opportunities to some players and like Cedric.

“He hasn’t played a lot of minutes as well and he’s every day conducting the right way, it was great to see some players having minutes.”

Cedric was linked with a move away from the Emirates in the summer, and could have followed Bernd Leno to Fulham.

However, he stayed put, but does seem to be quite a long way down the pecking order at Arsenal.

The signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko means he’s unlikely to be needed at left-back very often.

The emergence of Ben White as a right-back in Arteta’s system has also affected his minutes this season.

Cedric impressing Arteta in training shows he’s at least still committed to trying to break into the Arsenal side.

The Portuguese will be hoping that Arteta gives him an opportunity against FC Zurich in the Europa League on Thursday.