It would be nice wouldn’t it?
At the time of writing, there have been no reported injuries from Arsenal players during the most recent international break and based on previous international breaks, that feels like something of a miracle in itself.
Most notably, last season, we lost Martin Odegaard to a serious injury during the same break which had a massively detrimental effect on our season as a whole. Therefore to come out of it with a clean bill of health would be a massive boost, given the players we are missing already and the big fixtures looming in the coming weeks.
In addition to the bill of health, some of our players got either some much needed minutes or much needed confidence, all of which can only benefit Arsenal.
Viktor Gyokeres had mixed fortunes in terms of the results for Sweden but got an assist against Slovenia and played 90 minutes in both games. Gyokeres has looked a little off the pace in the first few games of the season which may be lack of match fitness due to his short pre-season so any game time for him can only be a good thing.
Arsenal’s Spanish contingent had a very productive break as they took home six points from their two qualifiers to take a big step towards next summer’s World Cup. Martin Zubimendi started both games and assisted the first goal in the first game but it was Mikel Merino who stole the show. Merino added the third goal in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria but saved the best till last as he added a brilliant hatrick in the 6-0 over Turkey only days later. 4 goals in less than a week…not bad for the so called ‘defensive’ midfielder. David Raya was an unused substitute in both games.
Martin Odegaard was also amongst the goals as he got a confidence boosting goal and two assists in Norway’s impressive 11-1 rout over Moldova.
Jurrien Timber only played only 30 minutes across the two Netherlands games and therefore enjoyed some much needed rest after having to played more minutes than planned during Arsenal’s first three games due to the missing Ben White.
Riccardo Calafiori played the first game against Estonia at centre back and helped the Azzurri to keep a clean sheet but was rested for the mad game versus Isreal that Italy edged 5-4 in stoppage time.
Leandro Trossard had a quiet couple of games for Belgium, appearing as substitute in the first game and playing the first hour of the second. Belgium won both games 6-0 but Trossard failing to get on the scoresheet or assist any of the 12 goals. Hopefully saving them all for The Arsenal!!
Having grown up watching Arsenal teams that often contained no England players, it feels strange to think that we had four in the squad for England’s two qualifiers (not including Ben White and Bukayo Saka who are currently sidelined through injury). They all played various roles during the two games but all can be proud of how they acquitted themselves. Myles Lewis-Skelly played the full back at left back versus Andorra, while Eberechi Eze also started in the number 10 position and was neat and tidy without really excelling before being withdrawn on 78 minutes. Declan Rice started the game and scored from a header before being withdrawn on 68 minutes while Noni Madueke played the full game on the right wing in the absence of Bukayo Saka. Madueke was lively throughout but it was England’s next game where the Arsenal new boy really excelled as he put in a player of the match performance while also scoring his first goal for England with a fine run and finish. Declan Rice also provided two assists during the same game as England ran out 5-0 winners away at Serbia.
In the South American qualifiers, Piero Hincapie played 90 minutes in both games for Ecuador as they picked up four points, including an impressive 1-0 win against Argentina during which Hincapie was very impressive at full back. Ecuador also drew 0-0 in the first games which takes the number of clean sheets during qualifying to 13 from 18, which is a truly amazing record when you take into the account the sort of teams competing in South America.
Arsenal prayers were also answered as Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli were both rested for Brazil’s final qualifying match, to the relief of all Arsenal fans.
On the youth international front there was more good news as Max Dowman made his debut for England U19s, becoming the youngest player ever to do so. I’m not sure if this is the sort of thing that is currently recorded but Dowman may have also broke another record as he was fouled 10 times in the first half alone!! When the opposing fullback is that worried about the youngest player on the pitch, you know he must be something special! Jack Porter also made his England U19s debut during the same tournament, which also included playing against new Arsenal youth signing Demaine Agustien, who came off the bench for the Netherlands against England.
Ethan Nwaneri played in the only England U21 game of the break and scored a lovely early goal as England beat Kazakhstan 2-0.
He may be some distance from the Arsenal first team right now but there was also a special moment for youth defender, Maldini Kacurri, during the international break as he made his debut for Albania at the age of 19.
Two weeks break also gave us a bit more time to get William Saliba and Bukayo Saka closer to full fitness along with hopefully the return of Ben White and Christian Norgaard when we return against Nottingham Forest on 13th September.
In summary, it was a fantastic break for the Arsenal players who represented their countries during the international break with some personal milestones, confidence boosting contributions and minutes, the opportunity to build fitness and also plenty of rest in there for many of our players as well.
I really dislike International breaks, I really do, but if we have to have them, this is exactly how they should be!!