Being dropped from the England squad provided a "kick up the backside", says midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The 23-year-old last played for the national side during a Euro 2016 qualifier in October 2015, scoring in a 3-0 victory over Lithuania.
But he missed the finals in France through injury and was not selected for Sam Allardyce's only game in charge.
"It was a wake-up call," said Oxlade-Chamberlain. "To be available, feeling good and fit and not be in was a jolt."
The former Southampton man, who has been capped 23 times for the Three Lions, recovered from a knee problem in the summer and has played eight times for the Gunners this season.