Arsenal: Mikel Arteta backs use of summer signings as Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke minutes questioned | OneFootball

Both Britons targeting spot in England World Cup squad

Mikel Arteta has defended his use of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, insisting the Arsenal summer signings have been given enough opportunities.

Both will have ambitions of being in England's World Cup squad at the end of the season, but getting in the Arsenal starting lineup is the more immediate challenge.

However, Arteta pointed to the minutes Eze was given earlier in the season when quizzed on his run of matches an unused substitute.

"I speak to every player," Arteta said.

"The players always need to understand and the manager needs to understand how each one is feeling. Assess games, assess the emotional state.

"Ebs has played more games, more minutes than ever at this time. He's played I think 22 out of 28 games or something like this. He's never played that much football so we're on a good track."

Noni Madueke’s minutes have been limited due to injury but he has impressed for Arsenal when fit

BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images

The recent form of Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard has made it particularly difficult for Eze and Madueke to get into the side.

Eze's first half of the season has been largely frustrating, aside from the hat-trick against Tottenham. Madueke looked incredibly sharp earlier in the campaign but had his momentum stalled by a knee injury.

It was suggested to Arteta that both players could have concerns over their of playing time in a World Cup year, but the Arsenal boss insisted there were no issues with the pair.

Arteta responded: "From who? What they need to do is be prepared like they've been and when they have the opportunity to play, perform like any other player. This is no different.

"There have been periods where they have played every three days, sometimes they played too much.

"Noni as well has been injured for a while and we have to manage and monitor his load. With Ebs, the first few months we've had some great moments with him, we had some others moments where there are things we need to improve. We are on that journey.

"The good thing is they want it so badly. The way they come in every single day and how much they want to give to the team and impact the games is great to witness. That's the mentality they need to maintain."