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17 Arsenal players called-up to represent nations during international break

By on November 16, 2023

Bukayo-Saka-arsenal

The final international break of 2023 is upon us and 17 senior Arsenal players have been called up to represent their countries over the next 7 days. Let’s take a look at each one and see where they’ll be in action while away from London Colney.

Let’s start with Arsenal’s England contingent and three of Mikel Arteta’s squad have been called-up by Gareth Southgate; Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

Ramsdale was a key player for Arsenal last season and was named as the PFA Goalkeeper of the Year. However, the 25-year-old has endured a difficult season after surprisingly losing the first team shirt to David Raya. Arteta said he wanted serious competition for Ramsdale when he signed Raya from Brentford last summer, but it only took a few games for Raya to be given the No.1 shirt. Despite only playing in the EFL Cup games recently, Ramsdale has still been called up for England duty but Southgate has warned his place at the Euro’s is under threat if he’s not playing regularly.

There is no such issue for Declan Rice. The midfielder has settled instantly in north London following his £105m move from West Ham and has already established himself as a vital player at Arsenal. He’s also a key fixture in the England squad and Rice is expected to play his part in their Euro qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. You can buy Euro 2024 tickets from seatsnet.com but hurry as both England games are expected to be sold out.

Saka is also a key player for club and country, but it will be interesting to see whether he starts either of England’s two fixtures during the break. The 22-year-old has been carrying a number of injury issues this season and has only just recovered from a hamstring problem. England have already qualified for Euro 2024 so Southgate will hopefully give Saka time to fully recover rather than risk him from the start in two dead rubbers.

Arsenal captain ruled out

However, Martin Odegaard was forced to withdraw from international duty with Norway as he continues to recover from a recent concussion that kept him out of Arsenal’s games with Sevilla and Burnley. The Gunners skipper has also been nursing a hip issue so it’s been decided that it’s best for him to remain in North London to continue his rehabilitation rather than link-up with Norway.

Gabriel Jesus has also been on the sidelines lately with a hamstring injury. He’s missed Arsenal’s last five games after suffering the problem against Sevilla last month. However, Jesus has still been called up by Brazil along with team-mates Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli. Jesus will not feature in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia on Thursday night as he’ll remain at the team camp to continue his recovery. However, the Brazil boss is hopeful Jesus will be passed fit to play a part in their crunch clash with Argentina next Wednesday night.

Gabriel has enjoyed a terrific run of form for Arsenal in recent weeks and he’ll be hoping to play a role in Brazil’s next two World Cup qualifiers. Martinelli has recently returned to fitness from an ankle knock and he will also be pushing to feature against Colombia or Argentina to help his country reach the 2026 World Cup.

Unsurprisingly, Oleksandr Zinchenko has been called up to represent Ukraine as they look to join England in qualifying from Group C for the Euro 2024 finals. Ukraine are currently three points ahead in second so they are in pole position to secure the second automatic qualification spot. However, Italy have a game in hand so Monday night’s clash between the two sides is going to be pivotal. Zinchenko will be a key player for his country and will be desperate to help Ukraine reach Euro 2024.

Jorginho could also play against his Arsenal club-mate in that crucial game on Monday night after being recalled to the Italy squad. The former Chelsea midfielder has been playing regularly for Arsenal recently with Thomas Partey out injured, and he’s forced his way back into the Italy set-up. Jorginho will be assessed by medical staff after receiving a nasty cut to the head during Arsenal’s win over Burnley on Saturday, but he should be passed fit to play if needed.

Saliba called-up by France

William Saliba has continued his impressive form for Arsenal this season and he’s set his sights on establishing himself as a regular for France after being called up by Didier Deschamps. The French boast an array of talented centre-backs to choose from so competition is fierce, but Saliba has the quality to make himself a regular for his country. France sit top of Group B and have already booked their place at Euro 2024, so Deschamps should give Saliba a chance to impress during their final two qualification games against Gibraltar and Greece.

Jakub Kiwior has been called-up by Poland and should play in their crucial Euro 2024 qualifier against the Czech Republic on Friday night. If Poland win, they’ll be in pole position to book their place in the finals next year.

Leandro Trossard went into the international break in fine form for Arsenal so it was no surprise to see him called up by Belgium. They sit top of Group F and have already qualified for Euro 2024, so they can rotate during their final game against Azerbaijan on Sunday. Belgium also face Serbia in a friendly on Wednesday night.

Kai Havertz has struggled to find consistent form since joining Arsenal in a big-money deal from Chelsea in the summer. However, he’s still done enough to be called-up by Germany ahead of their two friendly games against Turkey and Austria. As hosts, Germany didn’t have to qualify for the Euro’s. Havertz will hope to show some of his best form for his country during the break to return to Arsenal in confident mood.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has been proving his worth for Arsenal after returning to full fitness this season. The versatile defender will play for Japan during their World Cup qualifiers against Myanmar and Syria over the coming days.

Elsewhere, back-up goalkeeper Alex Runarsson has been called-up for Iceland for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Slovakia and Portugal. David Raya will hope to represent Spain during their final two games against Cyprus and Georgia having already booked their place at the Euro’s. Mohamed Elneny is part of the Egypt squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Dijbouti and Sierre Leone. Young goalkeeper Karl Hein has also been called up by Estonia.

Arteta will be keeping a close eye on how his players are getting on during the international break, and he’ll be praying they all return injury-free as Arsenal prepare to continue their title charge with a tricky trip to Brentford next weekend.