HARRY Arter reckons fellow midfielders Lewis Cook and Emerson Hyndman are two of the Premier League's top young talents.

And the Republic of Ireland ace admits the progress of Cherries' rising stars has meant he has had to raise his game in a bid to command a place in the side.

Boss Eddie Howe has plenty of options in the middle of the park with the likes of Arter, Andrew Surman and Dan Gosling supplemented by the youthful vigour of Cook and Hyndman.

The 20-year-old Cook featured six times in the Premier League after completing a £7million move from Leeds last summer and his stock rose dramatically after he captained England under-20s to World Cup glory in June.

United States international Hyndman, currently recovering from a stress fracture to his foot, has yet to make his Premier League debut but the 21-year-old enjoyed a fruitful half-season loan spell with Scottish giants Rangers last term.

And with the duo snapping at his heels, Arter insists he has been forced to take his own efforts to another level.

Arter told the Daily Echo: "Emerson had a great loan spell at Rangers and Lewis had a terrific summer.

"We all know they are more than capable of playing at this level. They excelled in the Championship and without doubt are two of the best young midfielders in the league.

"They are progressing very well and represent competition for places.

"We've had that for the past three or four years. Last year, we brought Jack Wilshere in quite late and there was even more competition.

"Competition is what drives players not just to get in the team but to improve and I think that's one thing everyone in this team can be credited for.

"The manager has brought competition in and players have risen to it and tried to make sure the manager picks them."

Cook made his top-flight bow on the opening day of last season, starting the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Vitality Stadium.

He subsequently featured in two EFL Cup games but his campaign received a significant setback when he sustained an ankle injury while away with England under-20s.

Having climbed off the bench for a brief cameo in January's FA Cup loss to Millwall, Cook enjoyed a run of match minutes towards the end of the season.

The Yorkshireman replaced the injured Wilshere against Tottenham in April and also came off the bench against Middlesbrough, before starting against Sunderland, Stoke and Burnley.

Hyndman's first competitive outing in a Cherries shirt came when he replaced Max Gradel late on in August's EFL Cup victory over Morecambe.

After two further cup appearances, Hyndman joined Rangers on loan in January and proved an instant hit.

He opened his scoring account for the Ibrox side in his second game against Motherwell, the start of a period of four goals in 10 games.

However, the American missed the Light Blues' final three fixtures of the Scottish Premiership season due to his foot injury.