Following the Carabao Cup last defeat by Manchester City earlier this month, defender William Saliba confirmed he wouldn’t be becoming a member of up with France due to an ankle damage.
His centre-back companion Gabriel then withdrew from the Brazil squad with a knee downside.
They have been later joined by England ahead Eberechi Eze (calf), Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard (knee) and Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber (groin) – who all missed the cup last defeat at Wembley via damage – in addition to Belgium ahead Leandro Trossard (hip).
After players joined up with their respective nations, 5 extra from Arsenal withdrew – England trio Declan Rice (knock), Bukayo Saka (knock) and Noni Madueke (injured his knee towards Uruguay) in addition to Spain’s Martin Zubimendi (knee) and Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie (undisclosed).
Arteta mentioned his players have been “desperate” to play for his or her nations.
“When you are fit and available to play for the national team, you have to play,” he added.
“It makes us so proud that we had that many players in the national team.
“Players are determined to play for his or her nation. I understand how vital it’s to them. We are totally supportive of that and once we can do it, we do it.”
Premier League leaders Arsenal are in FA Cup quarter-final action on Saturday as they visit in-form Championship side Southampton (20:00 BST).
Arteta confirmed Eze will miss the game through injury, but Odegaard and Timber are in contention to return, while Madueke’s injury is not as bad as first feared and is a doubt.
Asked how many of those 11 players who withdrew from international duty will be available for selection against the Saints, Arteta added: “You will see. I’ll allow you to do the hypothesis. You can decide afterwards.
“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 video games away from the FA Cup and we all know how vital that competitors is for us.”
