Premier League leaders Arsenal spent big over the summer and manager Mikel Arteta hasn't ruled out more investment in January as they look to hold on to top spot
Mikel Arteta during Arsenal training
Mikel Arteta hasn't been afraid to make big calls at Arsenal(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta isn't worried about the recent lack of game time for summer signings Ebere Eze and Noni Madueke. The pair have spent time out of the spotlight in recent weeks, sparking some concern about their World Cup prospects, but the Gunners boss insists there's nothing to worry about.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has indicated those not playing regularly for their clubs may miss out on his World Cup squad, with Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly affected by the approach in the autumn. Madueke scored his first senior England goal under Tuchel in September but missed subsequent internationals through injury, while Eze has been in every single camp under the new Three Lions boss.
More recently, though, the pair have seen their minutes limited at club level. Eze has been an unused substitute for the last three Premier League matches, while Madueke has started just once in the league since returning from injury in November.
"I speak to every player," Arteta told reporters ahead of the weekend meeting with Bournemouth. "The players always need to understand and the manager needs to understand how each one is feeling. Assess games, assess the emotional state.
"Ebs [Eze] 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."
Madueke's injury absence and Eze's inconsistency were both referenced by Arteta. Former Crystal Palace star Eze scored a hat-trick in the North London Derby but found things tougher in other matches and was substituted at half-time in the early December defeat at Aston Villa.
""There have been periods where they have played every three days, sometimes they played too much," Arteta added. "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 other moments where there are things we need to improve. We are on that journey."
Noni Madueke and Ebere Eze in Arsenal training
Noni Madueke and Ebere Eze in Arsenal training
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Arsenal hold a four point advantage at the top of the Premier League table after rivals Manchester City were held by Sunderland on New Year's Day. That could become seven by the time City kick off against Chelsea on Sunday, with the Gunners facing Bournemouth on Saturday tea-time, but City-bound Antoine Semenyo will be out to throw a spanner in the works.
"I think the idea at least that he's going to be available in these two home games in a short turnaround," Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said ahead of matches against Arsenal and Spurs. "I hope he can be here for more time. But I don't know what's going to happen."
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