Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Rob Holding deserves an England call.

The centre-back has never made a senior appearance for England, but he has been in fine form this season.

"I think it would be a dream for Rob from what I know," said Arteta.

“I think he is going in the right direction and what he needs to do is keep performing that way, and making things difficult for Gareth. At the moment I think he is doing that."

Holding's form this season saw him rewarded with a new contract last month, with the deal running until 2024 and containing the option for a further 12 months too.

The 25-year-old's ability has often been overlooked in the past by those outside Arsenal - with Arsene Wenger famously quipping: 'I am sorry he didn't cost £55 million, so he can't be good' - and Arteta thinks the fact Holding cost so little could have contributed to that.

“Maybe it can be a factor," he said. “We value him very much and I think now people understand the importance that he has on the team and at the club. I think he is happy at the club as well, so it is a good thing.

“I think his leadership has improved so much because he feels a very important part of the team.

“He is very respected, because he has earned that respect with the way he is as a human being, how much he looks after the other people and after how he is performing. It is a natural evolution for him and I am really happy with the way he's performing.

“It is about him and how hard he works, how much he is all the time willing to learn, how humble he is. Even when things are going really well for him, he wants to get better."