Arteta Defends Arsenal's International Withdrawals

Following nan Carabao Cup last conclusion by Manchester City earlier this month, defender William Saliba confirmed he would not beryllium joining up pinch France because of an ankle injury.

His centre-back partner Gabriel past withdrew from nan Brazil squad pinch a knee problem.

They were later joined by England guardant Eberechi Eze (calf), Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard (knee) and Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber (groin) - who each missed nan cup last conclusion astatine Wembley done wounded - arsenic good arsenic Belgium guardant Leandro Trossard (hip).

After players joined up pinch their respective countries, 5 much from Arsenal withdrew - England trio Declan Rice (knock), Bukayo Saka (knock) and Noni Madueke (injured his knee against Uruguay) arsenic good arsenic Spain's Martin Zubimendi (knee) and Ecuador's Piero Hincapie (undisclosed).

Arteta said his players were "desperate" to play for their countries.

"When you are fresh and disposable to play for nan nationalist team, you person to play," he added.

"It makes america truthful proud that we had that galore players successful nan nationalist team.

"Players are hopeless to play for their nation. I cognize really important it is to them. We are afloat supportive of that and erstwhile we tin do it, we do it."

Premier League leaders Arsenal are successful FA Cup quarter-final action connected Saturday arsenic they sojourn in-form Championship broadside Southampton (20:00 BST).

Arteta confirmed Eze will miss nan crippled done injury, but Odegaard and Timber are successful contention to return, while Madueke's wounded is not arsenic bad arsenic first feared and is simply a doubt.

Asked really galore of those 11 players who withdrew from world work will beryllium disposable for action against nan Saints, Arteta added: "You will see. I will fto you do nan speculation. You tin judge afterwards.

"We are successful a position correct now wherever we request to make nan strongest line-up we perchance tin to triumph each competition.

"We are 2 aliases 3 games distant from nan FA Cup and we cognize really important that title is for us."