Arsenal stars to keep an eye on during the international break

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After narrowly missing out on winning the league title last term, Arsenal have started the campaign with the objective of triumphing their first Premier League title in over two decades this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been showing signs that they are capable of achieving that as they are currently unbeaten in the league after eight games, accumulating 20 points and sitting just behind the league leaders Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference.

The Gunners have had an easier run of fixtures in the first few games, though have already played three games against the top six teams.

They managed to overcome Manchester United’s challenge by scoring two goals in the stoppage time, but Mikel Arteta’s side failed to earn all three points against their North London rival, Tottenham Hotspur despite leading the game twice.

Nevertheless, the victory versus Manchester City right before the international break will give them the belief that they can overtake the Citizens in the title race this season and go all the way.

Arsenal didn’t look like an inferior team against Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday – which clearly shows that the Gunners have significantly bridged the gap with their title rival and now they will have to showcase the consistency throughout the season to finally become the league champion.

So, Arsenal are set to enter the October international break on a positive note and several players will be involved in national duties over the coming days. The North London club will be hoping that their players will be able to return unscathed and will be able to continue the momentum after the break.

So, Let’s take a look at which of the Gunners players have been called up for international duties.

English stars

Four of the Arsenal stars have been selected in the England squad for the upcoming couple of fixtures. Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice, Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka have been called up by Gareth Southgate, though Saka has now been withdrawn due to an injury problem that kept him out of action from Arsenal’s previous crucial encounter against Man City.

England will play versus Australia in a friendly fixture on Friday, while they will face off against Italy in the Euro 24 qualifying fixture next week. You can buy England vs Italy tickets at seatsnet.com and it should be an exciting game at Wembley next week.

The England boss is likely to give fringe players opportunities to showcase their qualities on the international stage in the friendly fixture versus the Socceroos, while the established first team members are expected to be featuring against the Azzurri.

Rice has established himself as an integral part of Southgate’s starting eleven so he is expected to be rested for Friday’s game and should start next week’s match. But, Ramsdale and Nketiah are likely to feature in the friendly game and might have to settle for a place on the bench in next week’s encounter.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

The Ukrainian is a key part of his national team’s first eleven and he has been called up to play in two crucial games against North Macedonia and Malta in the Euro 24 qualifying fixtures.

Ukraine have been drawn with England and Italy in the same group so the upcoming two fixtures are extremely crucial for Serhiy Rebrov’s side. They will be keen on earning full points from these encounters to keep them in a position to qualify for Euro 24 directly. Therefore, it is highly likely that Zinchenko will start in both games.

Leandro Trossard

The Belgian was called up for international duty but he has been forced to withdraw after sustaining a hamstring issue in the last game against Man City. So, it remains to be seen how long he will remain out of action.

Martin Odegaard

The Gunners’ captain is also the skipper of Norway. So he has been selected for international duty for Norway’s upcoming two crucial games against Cyprus and Spain in the Euro 24 qualifying rounds.

These encounters are extremely crucial for Norway to keep their hopes of qualifying for next year’s Euro 24. So, it is expected that the 24-year-old will commence in both games.

William Saliba

The 22-year-old was named in the star-studded France squad for the upcoming fixtures during this international break. However, Didier Deschamps was forced to withdraw the centre-back due to a chronic toe injury. It’s been decided it’s best for Saliba to rest during the break so he’ll remain in North London with Arsenal.

Other European stars

Kai Havertz has been selected to play for Germany’s upcoming fixtures as they are gearing up ahead of next year’s Euro 24. Julian Nagelsmann’s side will take on USA and Mexico and it is likely that Havertz will start at least one of the games and could be involved off the bench in the other encounter.

David Raya has been named in Spain’s squad for the upcoming two crucial games against Scotland and Norway in the Euro 24 qualifier. Unai Simons usually starts for La Furia Roja and it’s likely to be the same so Raya might have to settle for a place on the bench.

Jakub Kiwior has been selected in Poland’s squad and he is also set to feature for his country in the upcoming games in this international break.

Karl Hein is Arsenal’s third-choice goalkeeper and he has been named in the Estonia squad for the upcoming games. So, there is a possibility that he might get some game-time during this international break.

Brazilian stars

Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Jesus have been called up for international duty by Brazil’s interim coach Fernando Diniz. The South American giants will face off against Uruguay and Venezuela in the World Cup 2026 qualifying rounds and it remains to be seen whether the Gunners duo start in both games.

Magalhaes commenced in the previous two fixtures last month. So, he is expected to start once again in the upcoming encounters. But, Jesus might have to settle for a place on the bench and he could be used as a substitute.

African stars

Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny have returned to full fitness after recovering from injury problems and they have been selected by Ghana and Egypt respectively for the upcoming games as they are preparing ahead of next year’s African Cup of Nations.

Both players are key members of their nation’s first eleven so they are likely to start for their country in the upcoming encounters.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

The Japanese has been called up to play for his country. The Asian giants will face off against Canada and Tunisia in friendly fixtures and it is expected that the 24-year-old will commence in both games.

Gabriel Martinelli and Benjamin White are the two of the Gunners’ crucial first-team players who haven’t been selected to play for their respective countries during the international break. So, they are set to get a much-needed break amid this gruelling campaign.

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