"I need to listen to my body, complete this rehab process and get my foot back in good shape. "The hope has always been to be able to play the national matches and if I hadn't played on Sunday, it would have been out of the question to participate anyway.

The Gunners captain made his first start on Sunday since August after recovering from injury but has pulled out of international duty

Gunners skipper will not play in crucial Nations League double-header as he looks to return to full fitness after ankle injury