Arteta: Arsenal supports players, national teams

Mikel Arteta has insistedArsenalare "fully supportive" of players representing their countries and defended the club's relations with international managers following a spate of withdrawals.

Declan Rice,Eberechi EzeandBukayo Sakawere unable to take part in either of England's friendlies againstUruguayandJapan, whileNoni Maduekewas sent home with an injury picked up in the first game.

DefendersGabriel MagalhãesandWilliam Salibapulled out of theBrazilandFrancesquads respectively despite initial call-ups.Jurriën Timberwas also left out for theNetherlandsafter missing the Gunners'Carabao CupFinal defeat toManchester Citythrough injury.

BelgiumdeemedLeandro Trossardas unfit to feature despite playing 82 minutes against City whilePiero HincapiéandMartín Zubimenditook part forEcuadorandSpainrespectively but were subsequently sent back to their clubs due to fitness problems.

Arsenal are competing on three fronts and seeking their firstPremier Leaguetitle in 22 years, leading to speculation in some quarters that there was something sinister behind a total of 10 players being unable to complete international fixtures over the past 10 days.

But Arteta said on Friday: "We have very good relationship and communication with most of the national teams -- certainly with [Englandmanager] Thomas [Tuchel] too.

"We have been extremely supportive all the time. When you have to communicate the state and the moment of every player, we are always honest. At the end there is a medical decision had to be made. That was clear what the conclusion was.

"When a player is fit and available to play for the national team, you have to play. It makes us so proud that we had that many players in the national team.

"Players are desperate to play for their national team. We know how important every time they are together is [what] time they spend in preparation means to them. We are fully supportive of that and when we can do it, we do it."

Asked how many of the players could return for Saturday's FA Cup quarterfinal against Southampton, Arteta said: "I continue the speculation that you can do it and judge it afterwards. 'Did what I say was right or do I maybe have to change, delete and write something else?'

"We are in a position right now where we need to make the strongest line-up we possibly can to win every competition. We are two or three games away from the FA Cup and we know how important that competition is for us."

Arteta did confirm Madueke's leg injury is not as bad as first feared -- suggesting he may only be out for a few days -- while Timber and captain Martin Odegaard may be available this weekend.