Mikel Arteta insists Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice 'have to be ready' for start of the Premier League season as England stars return in dominant friendly win over Bayer Leverkusen

Mikel Arteta vows to throw in Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka from the start of the Premier League season, owing to the demands at play.

Both Rice and Saka made substitute appearances in Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday evening after an extended rest due to their part in the Euros final.

The pair have played lots and lots of football this year, which could risk burnout, but the gruelling nature of the league — which starts next Saturday against Wolves — leaves no room for easing players in.

Arteta said: ‘The season starts in nine or 10 days so they (Rice and Saka) have to be ready. These are the demands they have right now.

‘We really look after them when they are with us, when we have the ability to give them days off we do. We gave them days off before the start of the Euros and we have given them the rest that they needed.

‘The best thing to do is to look in their faces and there is that spark in their eyes, to come back and say: “I don’t want to miss it because I know how hard it is going to be”. That is the best sign, that the players want it.’

On whether he will ease them in, he added: ‘They will tell us how they are. You throw them in and we will see how they deal with everybody and what they have. They certainly want to be involved.’

Arteta confirmed Timber has had a ‘little discomfort in his foot’ and was rested tonight as the Spaniard didn’t want to take any risks.