Another international break is upon us, unfortunately halting club football for the next two weeks.
But fear not, Gooners! This break is the perfect time to buy your Arsenal tickets for upcoming matches. Head over to Seatsnet.com, the best marketplace to
The Gunners sit in third place on the Premier League log, one point off Liverpool at the summit, and will be reeling with confidence following their UEFA Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain last week.
The north Londoners will back themselves to continue that momentum when club football returns, but for now, the stars will focus on their international duties.
In this article, we delve into the international adventures of our Arsenal heroes during this break.
William Saliba (France)
One half of arguably the Premier League’s best defensive duo, Arsenal centre-half William Saliba has begun to enjoy game time under France’s Didier Deschamps following the retirement of Raphael Varane.
The measured defender can snuff out attacks and put out fires before they become a problem. Les Bleus will need him to perform those duties in the UEFA Nations League when they take on Israel tomorrow before a trip to face Belgium on Monday.
Saliba has been a mainstay for Arsenal in defence this term, helping the club keep three clean sheets in six league games while winning 66% of his aerial duels. The 23-year-old will be eager to carry that form to his national team.
Leandro Trossard (Belgium)
Belgium will be desperate to create breathing space in their Nations League group, but it won’t be easy as they are up against Italy and France.
Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard has become a mainstay in the Belgian squad and will look to deliver the goods as they attempt to make a deep run into the tournament.
Trossard has a knack for big goals and moments, and manager Domenico Tedesco will count on him to deliver the goods ahead of their crucial fixtures.
He is in top form with two goal contributions in his previous three games and can be a game-changer for the Red Devils.
Riccardo Calafiori (Italy)
Italy international Riccardo Calafiori had to bide his time before breaking into the Arsenal first-team, but he is nailing down his spot with terrific performances.
Calafiori will join Italy’s Nations League bid as they lock horns with Belgium tomorrow before they host Israel on Monday.
The Azzurri lead their group after defeating France and Israel in the opening games. Calafiori will hope to help the national team seal another pair of crucial victories, whether from left-back or his favoured centre-back position.
Bukayo Saka (England)
Ideally, Arsenal fans would love to wrap talisman Bukayo Saka in wool and rest his legs during this break, but England also demand his magic.
The Colney Academy graduate has registered the most big chances (12) in the Premier League this term and tops the assist chart (seven).
Saka’s magic helped Arsenal to clinch victory over Southampton in the final game before the break. He scored and provided two assists to help the Gunners overcome a deficit to defeat the Saints.
Saka has been equally pivotal for his national team, starting their wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland last month, and he will likely play a starring role when they face off with Greece tomorrow and Finland next week.
Declan Rice (England)
Another Arsenal star set to play a prominent role for England is midfielder Declan Rice, who has established himself as one of the best operators in the Premier League following his big-money transfer from West Ham United.
Rice is the lynchpin in midfield for Arsenal and England and has started the Lee Carsley era in particularly outstanding form.
He delivered a flawless showing against the Republic of Ireland in Carsley’s first game, bagging a goal and an assist and winning six of his eight duels.
The 25-year-old was also impressive in the win over Finland and will be determined to continue that blistering run of form over the coming fixtures as the Three Lions fight to secure their place back in Group A.
David Raya (Spain)
Despite playing a significant role in Arsenal’s epic title challenge last season, David Raya has struggled to break into the Spanish national team.
However, the long-term injury to Athletic Bilbao keeper Unai Simon opens a door for Raya to usurp the starting berth.
Raya was in goal for Spain’s Nations League fixtures last month, keeping a clean sheet against a dangerous Serbia side while strutting his excellent passing game. He helped La Roja claim a 4-1 win over Switzerland days later.
The former Brentford shot-stopper will likely keep his place in Luis de la Fuente’s XI for their coming games against Denmark on Saturday before facing Serbia three days later.
Mikel Merino (Spain)
Spanish international Mikel Merino was an integral player for Spain as they clinched the 2024 European Championship despite mostly coming on from the bench.
The former Newcastle United midfielder netted a sensational winner that helped down hosts Germany.
He joined Arsenal over the summer from Real Sociedad and had to wait long for his debut after suffering an injury in his first training session.
Merino is fit and raring to go. He made his first Premier League appearance against Southampton and recorded a fine outing.
The 28-year-old had 22 touches, completed 10/13 passes, played a key pass, and won four of his five duels. Merino will use Spain’s coming games to bring his fitness up to speed and hopefully return in top form.
Jakub Kiwior (Poland)
Poland already find themselves in a precarious position, with Croatia and Portugal sitting proudly above them. However, they can atone for their mistakes when they host Portugal on Saturday and Croatia days later.
Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior may be struggling to play in north London but remains a mainstay for the national team, featuring on the left side of Michal Probierz’s three-man backline.
They rely heavily on their defence, and Kiwior will be important as they bid to topple the giants they face.
Gabriel Magalhaes (Brazil)
One of the few positives of Dorival Junior’s miserable tenure as the manager of Brazil is the establishment of Gabriel Magalhaes in the first team after years of being on the periphery and looking in.
The towering centre-half has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League for the past three seasons, forming a watertight partnership with Saliba.
Magalhaes is expected to start their World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru as he has done for their first eight qualifying games.
The 26-year-old will be eyeing up more clean sheets as Brazil look to turn their fortunes around and push into the echelons of the table from fifth place.
Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil)
Brazil’s problem is not their defence, which has been decent under Dorival. Their issue is the inability of the frontline to click.
The manager has not made this team gel, with Raphinha, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Endrick all looking off the boil.
Dorrival might be tempted to try something new by giving Gabriel Martinelli a shot at the left-winger or number nine role in their coming games.
The versatile Arsenal star is enjoying a renaissance this season with two goals and two assists in six league outings after a horrendous 2023/24 campaign. Martinelli could be an ace up Dorival’s sleeves in the coming matches.
