Mikel Arteta says Arsenal and England benefit from the friendly rivalry between Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, as both players compete to start for club and country.

Madueke has capitalized on two injury spells for Saka this season, impressing in his debut campaign with the Gunners and contributing to England’s strong World Cup qualifying run. Prior to a 14-month injury setback, Saka had established himself as a key right-sided attacker for both Arsenal and England.

In Sunday’s 4-0 FA Cup win over third-tier Wigan Athletic, Arteta deployed Saka in a more central role due to Madueke’s form and injuries to Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz.

Arteta revealed the duo’s competitive spirit extends even to the gym, though they remain close friends off the pitch.

“We were in the gym and they were testing and everybody was trying to compete with each other and those two were hilarious as usual,” Arteta said ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“It is great to witness because it is natural. The way they like each other so much, they are constantly together and there is certain competition for places, but they take it from an incredible side. The team and them get the benefit of that.”

Arsenal have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points with a win over bottom-of-the-table Wolves. Arteta’s side are closing in on their first league title in 22 years and remain in contention for a historic quadruple.

The Gunners will face Manchester City in the League Cup final next month, travel to League One Mansfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round, and have progressed to the Champions League last 16 with a perfect record.

“The position we are in is a privilege and we take it because we have earned it,” Arteta added. “Seven-and-a-half months is a long time to every single day do the right things and perform at the level we are performing. We need to embrace that.”

Ødegaard and Havertz will miss the trip to Molineux, though Arteta hopes both will be fit for Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham. Defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White are available after injury scares against Wigan.