Mikel Arteta sends message to Dani Ceballos amid exit talk

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has indicated that Dani Ceballos will have to fight for his spot in the playing XI amid the speculation that Real Madrid loanee could head through the exit door.

The Spain international returned from a hamstring injury at the beginning of the month and he has since made the matchday squad for the Gunners on three occasions where he has remained an unused substitute.

Of late, there have been reports claiming that he could have his loan deal terminated to pursue a fresh challenge elsewhere but Arteta has urged the midfielder to prove his worth in training.

"I heard about all those things but I have nothing to comment. He needs to get back to fitness and fight for his place like any other player. After that we will make a selection that is fair with what I see on the pitch," he told.

Ceballos is presently worried that he could miss out on the Euro 2020 squad with Spain due to his lack of gametime at the Gunners. Real Madrid have no recall clause in place and the termination of the loan contract would entirely depend on Arsenal.