The 11 Arsenal players confirmed for international duty as Arteta sweats on further injury scare

Arsenal see their strong and unbeaten start to the Premier League season interrupted yet again by the international break. The second of three breaks before the new year, the next in November, Arsenal sit joint on points with Manchester City and after four wins in a row, Mikel Arteta would surely like to be cracking on with things.

That said, Kai Havertz pulling out of action with Germany perhaps does give some time with some players to get a much-needed rest. The same can be said for Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney who remain out of action and recovering from injury.

It leaves Arsenal with 11 players leaving for their respective nations.

England

Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have both been called up for duty with the England national side. The Three Lions will play Greece at Wembley before travelling to Finland on Sunday, allowing plenty of time to return in the week before the game against Bournemouth – which is good news for Mikel Arteta.

Ben White is indeed out injured although there has been no indication that his situation has changed. Lee Carsley did address the question in the last break but indicated he has not been made aware of a difference in stance from White.

Spain

David Raya has been called up to the Spain squad and could begin to establish himself as the new number one. Unai Simon is not with the team after undergoing surgery on a wrist issue so Alex Remiro and Robert Sanchez are with Raya for the games against Denmark and Serbia.

Interestingly, despite only just returning from injury last week, Mikel Merino has also been called up by Luis de la Fuente. Clearly seen as an integral part of the group, Merino’s move to Arsenal will help him push for a starting spot in the line-up.

Brazil

Gabriel Magalhaes’ brilliant form for Arsenal means that it is no surprise that he has been brought into the team. Dorival Junior will hope his threat from set pieces can be transferred to the Selecao for their matches with Chile and Peru.

After goals against Leicester City and Southampton, Gabriel Martinelli also returns to the squad which will come as a big boost. Gabriel Jesus however is not with the team again and will have to wait until as late as Thursday next week for his compatriots to rejoin him in north London with their final game not until Wednesday leaving very little time to reintegrate before the next Premier League game on Saturday.

Italy

Riccardo Calafiori has been called up by Italy for their games against Belgium and Israel in the Nations League. There is however still no place for Jorginho who started against Southampton at the weekend.

Poland

Jakub Kiwior may not be a regular starter for Arsenal but he has begun to get some more minutes for the Gunners. After being stopped from leaving in the summer despite some transfer interest, he has started against Bolton and came on in several recent fixtures including at half-time against PSG to help see out the European clash and has since been called up by Poland for their Nations League games with Portugal and Croatia.

France

It is completely unsurprising that the current top centre-half in the Premier League, William Saliba, has been called up by France. Didier Deschamps’ side take on Israel and Belgium in their Nations League matches but will do so without Antoine Griezmann who has since retired from international football.

Ghana

The African Cup of Nations qualification process has created an interesting scenario where Ghana will play Sudan twice, home and away, in the space of five days. Thomas Partey is indeed fit and will play for the Black Stars as Arsenal again hope for an injury-free break for their midfielder-turned-right-back.

Belgium

Leandro Trossard has returned to the Belgium squad for their games against Italy and France. After Domenico Todesco said that his omission last time was part of the chance to give other young player opportunities, his form for Arsenal is unable to be ignored.

Trossard has been critical despite his red against Manchester City. Scoring against Leicester before an assist in the game with PSG.