Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal players '100 per cent committed' amid ongoing absence of Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil

Mikel Arteta has underlined his expectations for his players and their behaviour behind the scenes at Arsenal, amid the ongoing absences of Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil from the team.

Guendouzi has not been included in a matchday squad since he grabbed the throat of Brighton striker Neal Maupay last month, while Ozil is yet to play a single minute since the restart because of tactical reasons and back soreness.

Arteta said last week that all players are “more than welcome” at Arsenal if they are willing to “jump on the boat” under his management. Asked what he means by being on the “boat”, Arteta said he wants players who respect the club’s values and show they are “100 per cent committed to our culture”.

The Spaniard was not speaking directly about Ozil or Guendouzi but his comments shed more light on what he expects from the duo if they are to come back into contention for the club.

Guendouzi is understood to be keen to finish the season at Arsenal, who face Wolves in a crucial match in the race for Europe on Saturday, but the Frenchman is open to leaving the club this summer.

“We all have moments when you have doubts about your future, you have difficult times and that is why the conversations have to be open,” said Arteta, who was speaking generally about the club culture rather than specifically about Guendouzi. “You have to create an environment for the players so they can trust you, to express those feelings.”

Asked to make clear what he wants from his squad, Arteta said: “Players that respect the values we want to implement, that they are 100 per cent committed to our culture, and players that are accountable every day for what we demand from them.

“Players that are ready to help each other, fight for each other and enjoy playing together. That is what I mean by being in the boat. If you behave like this every day, you are very very welcome here and we want to get the best out of you and help you to enjoy your profession with us.”

Arsenal have won three matches in a row since their defeat by Brighton but face a tough challenge against Wolves, who are eight games unbeaten in the Premier League.

The trip to Molineux marks the start of a pivotal week in Arsenal’s season. They face Leicester City on Tuesday night before the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur next weekend.

Under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo, Wolves are currently six points clear of Arsenal in the race for Europe.

“I think he sets up a club in a very clever way in that he knows exactly the players he needs to bring in and the recruitment department has been very good,” said Arteta of Nuno.

“He has kept the core of the team, which gives stability, and he is adding pieces all the time that improve the team and the squad. I think he is doing an incredible job.”