How Arsenal players got on during the international break

After three rounds of Premier League games, the league embarked on a brief hiatus as Arsenal players linked up with their national teams for the international break.

Arsenal’s international break was a mixed bag, with several players impressing for their national teams while others sustained injuries that could impact the Gunners’ upcoming fixtures and Premier League title challenge.

They’re set to face Tottenham Hotspur and reigning champions Manchester City when club football resumes, so remember to buy Arsenal tickets from Seatsnet.com at competitive prices.

The Gunners released 11 players to represent their countries during the break, and we’ve analysed how they fared with their nations. 

Gabriel Magalhaes – Brazil

Gabriel Magalhaes earned his eighth and ninth cap for Brazil against Ecuador and Paraguay in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers during the break.

The Selecao had often overlooked the 26-year-old, but he got to prove himself and stamp his authority in the centre-half position.

Gabriel helped Brazil keep a deserved clean sheet against Ecuador. He won four of his six duels while completing 85/94 passes (90% accuracy). The former Lille defender also made a crucial clearance off the line. 

However, he could do nothing as a hapless Brazil lost 1-0 to Paraguay, crashing to fifth place in the CONMEBOL qualifiers standings. Their attacking woes and inability to gel up front overshadowed the work the defenders did at the back.

Gabriel continued his fine Premier League form for Brazil. He will hope his recent showings have helped him carve out a permanent place in Dorival Junior’s starting XI.

Martin Odegaard – Norway 

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was one of the casualties of the international break as the Norwegian suffered a worrying injury. 

The 25-year-old started Norway’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Kazakhstan and looked unplayable. 

He did not score or assist but registered four key passes while winning 14/19 duels. He also completed an outstanding eight of 13 dribbles. 

Three days later, they faced Austria. Unfortunately, the playmaker suffered an ankle injury following a slide tackle from Christoph Baumgartner and was forced off in tears after 67 minutes.

Odegaard will likely miss the North London derby this weekend. According to reports, he could miss around three weeks to a month of action, so Arsenal will have to navigate crucial fixtures without their playmaker.

Riccardo Calafiori – Italy

Riccardo Calafiori also suffered an injury while away on international duty, leaving the Arsenal squad paper thin for their coming games.

Calafiori suffered a freak injury during Italy’s 3-1 win over France. France attacker Ousmane Dembele went down from a strong tackle and surprisingly rolled into Calafiori’s calf.

The Italian immediately returned to London to be assessed by Arsenal’s doctors. Italy manager Luciano Spalletti insisted it was not serious but Calafiori could still miss the Tottenham clash and subsequent games.

Jurrien Timber – the Netherlands

Jurrien Timber received a call-up to the Netherlands team and continued to build his fitness with some substitute appearances against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Germany.

Ronald Koeman threw Timber into the deep end, and he stayed afloat in both matches. More importantly, he came out from the international fixtures unscathed and will look to keep his place in the Arsenal starting line-up in the coming weeks.

Timber came off the bench in the Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers and started the next two fixtures as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury which sidelined him for most of last season.

David Raya – Spain

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente gave David Raya the reins between the sticks for their Nations League games against Serbia and Switzerland. 

The Arsenal star kept a clean sheet versus Serbia and showed his excellent passing range, although they barely tested him. 

Switzerland proved a stronger test for Raya as he was called into action severally but rose to the occasion. La Roja defeated the Swiss 4-1.

Raya might just have usurped the injured Unai Simon’s place, and it will be deserved considering his outstanding 2023/24 campaign in which he won the Premier League Golden Glove and his equally fantastic start to the current season.

William Saliba – France

After taking his sweet time to integrate William Saliba into the France set-up, manager Didier Deschamps has begun trusting the centre-back more.

Saliba started the disappointing loss to Italy. He was also in the starting line-up for the bounce-back win over Belgium. 

The 23-year-old was exposed in the 3-1 loss to Italy as Spalletti’s men undid Les Bleus with their piercing third-man runs. The former Saint-Etienne man did not have a good outing as Italy found ways to split the centre-backs.

He’ll be hoping to put it behind him when he lines up for Arsenal in the coming fixtures.

Oleksandr Zinchenko – Ukraine

Oleksandr Zinchenko started Ukraine’s 2-1 defeat to Albania on the bench, but he made a cameo appearance in the final few minutes.

He broke into the XI for the Czech Republic game but had an ineffective outing despite playing two key passes. 

Zinchenko showed why he has struggled to break into the Arsenal starting team this term, making a massive error that the Czechs nearly capitalised on. 

Luckily, he came through without any injuries and could play a vital role for the Gunners during this injury-plagued period.

Thomas Partey – Ghana

Arteta must hope midfielder Thomas Partey stays fit for these crucial few games, with the team looking light in the middle of the park.

He started and was easily bypassed in Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers clash with Angola but put in a vintage performance as the Black Stars drew Niger.

Partey was excellent against their West African counterparts, winning duels and foiling attacks, dribbling out of tight spots, and spreading play. 

Mikel Arteta needs him to keep that form and fitness going into their next few games, as injuries threaten to derail their campaign.

Declan Rice – England

Declan Rice did not have the perfect start to the season, and it got the naysayers waffling about his ability, but he reminded the world that he is one of the best midfielders in Europe.

Rice scored and assisted both goals in England’s 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland before a more subdued showing against Finland. 

Rice will miss the Tottenham fixture following his red card against Brighton & Hove Albion but must be desperate to return to action, giving Arteta more options through the middle.

Bukayo Saka – England

Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka had two quietly impressive outings this international break. 

Saka was wriggling out of tight spaces and creating chances for his teammates. He missed a massive chance against the Irish, but he continued to hold down the right-wing spot for England.

He did enough to convince interim England manager Lee Carsley that he deserves the starting berth. The Gunners need Saka to step up to the plate during this injury-laden period. 

He has typically struggled without Odegaard, but he must grab the bull by the horns and help Arsenal prevent their title challenge from petering out this early.

Kai Havertz (Germany)

In-form attacker Kai Havertz started and scored in Germany’s 5-0 pummelling of Hungary in their Nations League opener. 

The former Chelsea man floated across the pitch, finding gaps in the backline. He still needs that clinical edge after missing two big chances.

Against the Netherlands, that profligacy in front of goal returned to haunt him as he missed a gilt-edged chance to put his name on the scoresheet. 

Havertz has started the season in top form, and the Gunners need him to bring his clinical finishing to the coming games.