The international break could halt Arsenal momentum
International breaks can be a bit of a pain in the backside, especially if your team is doing well when the break starts. For some teams it is perfect timing, Tottenham is a classic example of that this time around.
But for Arsenal, it has come right in the middle of a decent run being put together. There are issues for Unai Emery to resolve but unbeaten in eight games is momentum and no one likes momentum to be interrupted.
Clubs use international breaks to do a bit of house cleaning, do not be surprised if a manager is fired, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer maybe?
Injured players can continue to rehabilitate without missing competitive games. Managers and coaches can re-evaluate and so forth. But Arsenal did all that through the last international break, no need for it this time.
Another factor is that most of Arsenal’s players are now fit and that means more chance of injuries. As I have said, it really is not the best time for a break.
Teams like Man Utd, Tottenham, even Man City will use this period to revitalise, the advantage is with our opponents.
Hopefully, there will be no consequences for Arsenal in this period but do not be surprised if something negative happens.
I know it’s a Qualifier but I wish Qualifiers could be done in a block! UEFA should make all the football associations around Europe take International breaks during the winter so that qualifiers can be played in group stages like a “pre-tournament”?
Arsenal always seem to struggle after International games!!
LDDWWWDWW…
No we will not struggle after international breaks this season.
We have a very full youthful squad and almost any injury can be replaced adequately, hopefully we will have no injuries except players like Xhaka and maybe Sokratis, my bad…
The most important thing is that the international break provides additional time for the Arsenal players returning from injury, Lacazette, Holding, Tierney, Bellerin and Mavropanos to fully recover. Not only will the break allow fitness work, but intensive team training prior to the recommencement of the EPL.
All teams will have their international players exposed to injury; hopefully Arsenal has luck on its side and impacted players return injury free.
Couldn’t have said it better myself!!and if you think the international break is going to resolve the problems at spurs,man utd, it is very naive, their problems are much deeper than injured players,it is about players no longer playing for their managers, players who would rather be somewhere else,these players will concentrate on their future and next moves,talking with agents and clubs and Solkjaer is not going to become a great manager during the break! you’re talking about this break as if it was s transfer window!!
Totally agree ozziegunner, just right for our squad to get fit, come together and digest what has happened so far.
It gives Tierney, Bellerin and Holding further opportunities, along with Lacs, to strengthen even further and for Ozil to work on his fitnesss levels.
I think UE will have a fully fit squad ready for the Sheffield game and it will be really interesting to see how he approaches the game, what team he selects and what tactics he uses against a side that, I personally see, as an upmarket Stoke City!!!
I don’t think we will be affected because most of our key players have not been called up, am not sure but I don’t think we have any of our players going to represent England, even if Leno is been invited we all know he won’t play because he has Ter stergen and Neur in front of him,the France coach does not like Lacazette so even without him been out injured he won’t be invited, aubamayang have issues with his country FA so I don’t think he will be going, so I think that leaves us with Pepe Torrera which we should hope doesn’t get injured because we all know that Xhaka will never get injured ( I really don’t know how he do it) Sokratis will also not get injured and am not sure Brazil also invite Luiz. I think we will be okay.
@lenohappy and ozziegunner,both very sensible comments!👍🏼👍🏼
I think it’s a perfect time for us. Our recently recovering defenders will be further rested and put through their paces at Arsenal and drilled as a back four unit. A lot of spurs players will be on international duty as will other rival teams. Yes, a good time for the interlul.
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼!!
I read somewhere that Emery was going to Spain for a short break;so whoever will be in charge hopefully start working with the fresh team that is going to play against Sheffield Ut.as I think none of the following players will be called by their national teams;so no Fifa Virus.
Leno
Bellerin,Holding,Luis,Tierney
Chambers,Guendozzi,Ozil
Martinelly,Auba,Pepe
Reserves:Macey,Niles,Mustaffi,Mavropanos,Smith-Roves + 2 (should be a strong team)
The rest coming back from International games will be ready for next game.
I like that line-up!
I hope everyone that goes off to play comes back healthy
And I hope everyone who doesn’t gets some rest
We play 3 matches very close together.
Sheffield United, then 3 days later Europa, then 3 days later CP
Boring 2 weeks without Arsenal football 😣😭😠😢👎😤🙏
As boring as it is, at least we have Tierney, Bellerin, Holding & Laca to look forward to 👍
I don’t like the breaks from a selfish tv-watching perspective but I don’t think that this one is at all bad for Arsenal (as long as nobody gets hurt). IF we are lucky, we come back after two weeks with our two primary fullbacks ready to go, four fit centrebacks that should see the Sokratis-Luis pair finished (one of them at a time maybe but not two), and Lacazette getting closer to return. We have young players pushing hard for spots up front and in the middle. Chambers and Maitland-Niles can be used where they are better (although I think Chambers has done pretty well on the back line) so there is more competition.
As I have said a couple of times, I am really hopeful that we will see real signs of life as we move into November – by that I mean a balance between pragmatism and entertaining football.
Go Gunners!!!
Disagree, I think the break is spot on if it means we get Tierney, Bellerin, Holding and Laca back when it starts up again. Lets face it we may be third, but the performances other than Carabao Cup and EL have been dire !