Graeme Souness believes that Mikel Arteta has sent a strong message to his Arsenal squad with the selection of Eddie Nketiah for the Premier League clash with Newcastle United.
The Gunners host Steve Bruce's side at the Emirates Stadium in their first match since returning from the international break and Arteta made some interesting choices in his starting line-up.
Eddie Nketiah's inclusion in the spearhead of Arsenal's attack stood out, with the teenager coming into the side to take Alexandre Lacazette's spot in the starting line-up.
Lacazette has been a mainstay of Arteta's side in the Premier League since he took the reigns but Nketiah, who spent the first half of the campaign on loan with Leeds United, earned his first top-flight start of the season.
That caught the eye of former Newcastle boss Souness, who believes that it sends the sort of message that every manager should issue to their squads.
"It's a big message he's sending out. It says no-one is guaranteed a place, you turn up properly everyday for work, you train properly and then you've got a chance of getting picked on Saturday," he told Sky Sports.
"Successful teams, that's now they work, that's what he's come from with Manchester City. I think he's putting a marker down and saying no-one is guaranteed a place.
"You come here everyday to London Colney, you work hard and give 100%, you train as we play with the same tempo and then you have a chance of getting picked.
"I think it's the way everyone should go about their business if you're strong enough as a manager."
