As an Arsenal fan I get extremely frustrated by UEFA pulling our players out for boring international friendlies after just four games of the new season, especially as our stars will be flying very long distances when they have hardly reached full fitness for our Premier League games.
But there is nothing we can do about it, so we will just have to watch how our players get on and hope they don’t get injured! Although we had hardly any players at the World Cup, for these ridiculous games we have got nine of our first team squad players going away to play for their respective countries. So who are they?
First of all we have Aubameyang, who will be captaining Gabon in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi on Saturday. On the same day we also have Mohamed Elneny in Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger. In an annoying choice we have Lucas Torreira in Uruguay’s squad for their friendly against Mexico, which is being played in Dallas, Texas (Thanks Sue!). At least he may get to play 90 minutes for them!
So that’s the long distance ones but we have another six playing in Europe. Aaron Ramsey, who only played his first 90 minutes for Arsenal this weekend, has been named in Wales’ squad for their UEFA Nations League (??) matches against Republic of Ireland on September 6 and Denmark on September 9. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been called up by Armenia for their Uefa Nations League games against Liechtenstein and Macedonia. Danny Welbeck could face Spain with England on Saturday, and could also be playing against Stephan Lichtsteiner and Granit Xhaka in Monday’s match against Switzerland.
That just leaves Sokratis who has been included in Greece’s squad against Estonia on Saturday and Hungary on Tuesday.
I don’t really care who wins these friendlies, I just hope that no-one gets injured!
Admin
Unfortunately Admin, internationals are a fact of life and the clubs paying the players wages aren’t satisfactorily compensated.
Like you, may all Arsenal players return safe and injury free.
Maybe the poor Welbeck might not get selected, because he doesn’t start consistently at Arsenal
He is a hardworking team player, but it might be the time to replace him in January with Adama Traore:
youtube.com/watch?v=L3ArmcCNWAY
youtube.com/watch?v=ZlZky55RwiA
Would that be the one who just signed for Wolves?
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Fingers crossed no any injuries in this int’l break.
OT: Once all players are fit and hit the top form am trying to imagine the trio of Torreira(Holding midfield),Guendouz(deep lying play maker-Pirlo role) and AMN as a box to box midfielder.This will give room for Ozil to be more free to creat space for Laca and Auba and even allow our full backs bombing forward confidently.
One might argue that they do not have enough experience to handle the pressure and rigorous nature of PL but just to remind you Cesc was thrown when was just 16 same to Wilshire when was 18.
Anyways still trust Emery has a good plan for Arsenal and it’s fans.
So a CM diamond?
—Back 5—
Torreira
Guendouzi–AMN
Ozil
Auba–Laca
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Totally agree Admin… boring international friendlies! So soon into the season…. I will keep an eye on them online, just to make sure no one gets injured!!
HATE International week
loved the World Cup because its every 4 years and in summer
I guess I am just selfish
but its so boring without ARSENAL football
Also, so scared of injuries for ALL players but imagine Torreira, Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan etc getting a serious injury. i hope ALL come back injury free
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And these are FRIENDLIES. They should play mainly youth players who don’t get much action or squad rotation players.
not all are friendlies some are qualifiers (Gabon and Egypt)
At least the Arsenal legends game is on Saturday!
I’ll be there Sue, can’t wait?
Spot on GB! I have to work till 1, but will watch it online! Bloody typical
I just remembered how good Cesc Fabregas was for us at age 16/17 OMW!! We should try and get him back even at his old age. How he will groom Guendouzi… he may not have the speed anymore but he his better then Xhaka 10 times over.
Thr post isn’t about Xhaka, and pls corroborate your opinions with facts, don’t just abuse or denounce arsenal players anyhow
“Armenia for their Uefa Nations League games against Liechtenstein and Macedonia.”
Being dyslexic can be fun at times…
I read this as “Armenia for their Uefa Nations League games against Lichtsteiner and Macedonia.”
WTF is our RB doing facing national teams by himself XD Yet still can’t get a game ahead of Bellerin =.= PMSL!