David Raya struggles, outcast dazzles: Arsenal's three winners and three losers from international break

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has continued his fine club form over the international break with Norway.

Odegaard will have returned to Arsenal brimming with confidence this week after such a successful time away with his country.

Mikel Arteta needs his strong showings to continue this weekend as the Gunners host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are in a strong position to make another title charge this season, with 12 points from their first five games.

The extended break arguably came at an ideal time for Arteta and his players after a tough 3-0 defeat to Brighton on 19 September.

Football Insider have picked out three winners and three losers from the Gunners squad over the last few weeks.

Odegaard shone away from Arsenal to continue impressive start

Odegaard has looked like a completely different player this season compared to the last for both club and country.

The Gunners captain registered four assists for Norway in as many Nations League fixtures over the break, after scoring four goals in his first eight club appearances of the campaign.

He has created the joint-third most chances (11) in the Nations League A so far and will be looking to return to club football with aplomb on Saturday against Leeds.

Viktor Gyokeres has stood himself in great stead to start against the Whites in Kai Havertz's absence, with goals in all four of Sweden's Nations League B fixtures.

The Gunners striker is yet to start a league game since the campaign started, but that could change this weekend after he found form with his country.

Another winner for Arsenal was Bukayo Saka, who reinforced his place as an England starter with a dazzling performance in their 7-0 demolition of Croatia.

The 25-year-old bagged a brace in Rijeka and was only benched for one of the Three Lions' first four NL fixtures, proving the doubters wrong after some questioned his position as Tuchel's go-to man on the right flank.

David Raya struggled to state his case for Spain

Raya has long been touted to take Unai Simon's spot in the Spain side after impressing so often for the Premier League champions.

He only harmed his chances of doing so over the break, conceding one goal from 0.66 xGOT faced in his sole appearance against Czechia.

Simon, meanwhile, impressed in two different wins over Croatia as his case to start every game for the world champions was furthered.

Havertz's hamstring injury in Germany's first game of the break against Netherlands is set to rule him out for several weeks.

The 27-year-old was in decent form for the Gunners before going away with his country, but is now expected to miss numerous matches as Gyokeres prepares to take his chance.

Another injury scare for Arteta came as in-form winger Christos Tzolis also picked up a hamstring problem against the Netherlands for Greece last week.

The Gunners' summer signing is out for three weeks with the injury, and could lose his place in the side as others aim to impress in his absence.