Mikel Arteta has warned Arsenal's fringe players that he will accept no excuses over their performance levels.
The Gunners have had a fairly settled side so far this season, with seven players starting all six Premier League matches.
However, when it was put to him that those performances could be due to a lack of rhythm after limited minutes this season, Arteta was firm in his response.
"They need to train more then," Arteta said. “What I don't want is an excuse. 'No but when I play I lack rhythm'. Yeah? So what do we do then? We send you on holidays?
"So you play, you have to be available. When you don't play, you have to make sure that you do everything you can to impact the team. Because otherwise the other ones that are playing, 'I don't perform because I'm tired'.
So you play, you have to be available. When you don't play, you have to make sure that you do everything you can to impact the team
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal fringe players
"So then it's always an excuse. I hate excuses. We know the role. We know that the competitiveness that we need in the team is at the maximum level and they are doing amazingly well.
"I don't see any player that is playing that lacks rhythm or lacks this. Everybody is involved.
"Everybody has played minutes and it will continue to be like this because they have really deserved that. So hopefully we can maintain that because it's a massive asset for us.”
Noni Madueke is one of those attempting to force his way into Arteta's plans on a more regular basis.
Noni Madueke can stake a claim to become an Arsenal regular
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However, with Arsenal short of options, Arteta is confident Madueke can successfully plug the gap.
"It’s down to necessities as well, sometimes, more than probably tactical decisions so far with him," Arteta said.
"I think he can play in both positions. He offers something completely different. Obviously now we have the necessity of a player on the left side with different qualities than Ebs as well, that can complement all the other unit we have on that left hand side.
"It’s great because he is comfortable there, he is enjoying playing there, and he is doing well. It’s a good solution."
Arteta added: "He will have more minutes in the next few games. I am sure that we will start to see a closer version of Noni at the highest level."