Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes that the time will come for his players to earn opportunities in the England squad following Ben White and Emile Smith Rowe's omissions.

The likes of Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady were called up by Gareth Southgate for November's World Cup qualifiers, which sparked controversy given White's impressive form for the Gunners.

Smith Rowe is also still waiting for his first senior call-up despite his stellar start to the campaign, but Arteta defended Southgate's squad selection for clashes with Albania and San Marino during his pre-match press conference ahead of the visit of Watford.

Arteta was quoted as saying by football.london: "Gareth has to make so many difficult choices and has got so many options. What I like is that our players are performing at a level to give problems to Gareth and the coaching staff.

"I think he [Smith Rowe] should be happy If people are gutted or if they're questioning the decision because it shows the level he's playing at. Like anything in Emile's career it will come in the right moment."

Arteta also provided a positive injury update on Kieran Tierney during Friday morning's press conference.