The international break is finally over and all preparations for yet another North London Derby are underway! The last time Arsenal visited the Tottenham Stadium, Mikel Arteta’s men had control in one half and chaos in the other. After running away with a three goal lead in the first 45, a David Raya error and a Declan Rice foul in the penalty box paved the way for a very nervy end to the game, but Arsenal got what they wanted – three valuable points.
This was a very unfortunate international window for Arsenal, with some players suffering injuries that are going to impact the team in the short and long term. Without further ado, Gooner Daily provides a quick roundup on the Arsenal players on international duty.
David Raya
Following an injury to Unai Simon, Raya started both games for the European Champions, Spain, as they took on Serbia and Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League. Raya kept a clean sheet in the first match against Serbia, and conceded a goal in the topsy-turvy game against Switzerland.
Spain scored two goals, then Robin Le Normand got sent off, giving the numerical advantage to the Swiss. The home side reduced the deficit before the break, but two late goals from Spain put the game beyond doubt.
Jurrien Timber
Timber came on as a sub for Nathan Ake in the 5-2 victory for the Netherlands over Bosnia and came on as a sub again for Ake in the 2-2 draw with Germany. Played both games in left back and will be expected to start ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko as a left back in the North London Derby this weekend.
William Saliba
Saliba was an ever-present in the France defense for both games against Italy and Belgium, featuring alongside Ibrahima Konate against the Azzurri and Dayot Upamecano against the Red Devils. Saliba has always been a minutes monster, but it’s worth noting that the games took place on Friday last week and Monday, so there should be no concerns about his recovery time.
Gabriel
Gabriel played both games alongside Marquinhos in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier games against Ecuador and Paraguay. Gabriel kept the clean sheet against Ecuador but narrowly lost to Paraguay. That loss puts Brazil on fifth place in the leaderboard, eight points behind Argentina.
The Paraguay fixture took place yesterday morning, which essentially means that Gabriel will return to London Colney quite late, and may have just one training session ahead of the crucial North London Derby. However, Gabriel is a very fit lad and shrug it post-flight exertions off.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Zinchenko featured in both games for Ukraine as they lost to Albania and Czechia in their Nations League Group B clash. In the first game, Zinchenko was on the bench and came on with nine minutes to go for Viktor Tsigankov. He started the next game in midfield against Czechia and was subbed late on.
Riccardo Calafiori
Arsenal’s new signing, Calafiori, started for Italy in their win over France but he had to be substituted in the 71st minute after a freak injury that saw Ousmane Dembele lost his balance and stamped on his calf, causing the Italian defender to somewhat twist his ankle. Calafiori returned to London for further treatment and evaluation, and we will get clear information from Mikel Arteta in tomorrow’s press conference.
Thomas Partey
Partey played 180 minutes for Ghana and came out unscathed in their AFCON qualifiers clashes against Angola and Niger. Angola won the game with basically the last kick of the game, handing Ghana a narrow loss and the second game away to Niger ended in a draw.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka
Rice and Saka are integral for their nation, and it was no surprise seeing them play 90 minutes against Ireland. Rice had a stormer in the game, scoring and assisting fellow former Irishman, Jack Grealish, and was on the end of some jeers from the home faithful. Rice also played 90 minutes in the win over Finland, but Saka lasted for only 66 minutes.
Kai Havertz
Despite leading the line for Germany in the European Championships, Havertz played as the No. 10 / supporting striker for Germany in their Nations League matches against Hungary and Netherlands. Playing behind Niklas Fullkrug in the 5-0 win over Hungary, Havertz added the icing on the cake with the fifth goal from the penalty spot. Against Holland, it was a much tougher contest that ended in a stalemate, with Havertz playing 90 minutes.
Martin Odegaard
Odegaard was a doubt going into the international break following a series of knocks he received in the Brighton game but he stated that he felt fine and actually played the full 90 in the 0-0 draw with Kazakhstan. However, in the 2-1 win over Austria, Odegaard was on the end of a very nasty challenge from Christoph Baumgartner and had to be assisted off the pitch.
After the game, he was seen in crutches and that clearly means he will be unavailable for the North London Derby and the all-important clash against Manchester City, but we will get better information from the gaffer tomorrow.
Sayonara.
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