I have always found it to be a bit crazy that, after a long a gruelling League season, all of the top players have to pick themselves up and go straight into (mostly meaningless) international games.
England, with Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale called up, are playing in the Euro 24 Qualifiers so there is some sort of point, but why on Earth are they being matched against teams like Malta and North Macedonia, who would struggle against a team made up from League One players?
The Three Lions will be expected to win both games by 4 goals or more, so they are hardly going to be exciting, even from a neutrals point of view, never mind an England fan. Why don’t these minor teams have their own separate World Cup with other teams of the same calibre. This really annoys me!
But some players are in games that could be worth watching, for instance we have 3 Arsenal players in the USA squad (as I spoke about here) to play Mexico in the semifinal of the American version of the Nations League.
A Euro Qualifier that Gooners may want to watch is when Martin Odegaard’s Norway take on Kieran Tierney’s Scotland, and we have our newboy Jakub Kiwior picked from a Poland friendly when they face Germany.
The only other game I would recommend is seeing if Jorginho gets a starting place when Italy take on Spain in the UEFA Nations League semifinal.
I am listing every game that Arsenal players could be involved in, but personally I think that other than the above mentioned, they are mostly meaningless to me….
Thursday, June 15
Spain v Italy (Jorginho)
UEFA Nations League | Enschede | 7.45pm
Friday, June 16
USA (Balogun, Turner, Trusty) v Mexico
Concacaf Nations League | Las Vegas | 3am
Malta v England (Saka, Ramsdale)
Euro 2024 qualifier | Valletta | 7.45pm
Andorra v Switzerland (Xhaka)
Euro 2024 qualifier | Andorra la Vella | 7.45pm
Poland (Kiwior) v Germany
Friendly | Warsaw | 7.45pm
Saturday, June 17
Norway (Odegaard) v Tierney (Scotland)
Euro 2024 qualifier | Oslo | 5pm
Azerbaijan v Estonia (Hein)
Euro 2024 qualifier | Baku | 5pm
Iceland (Runnarsson) v Slovakia
Euro 2024 qualifier | Reykjavik | 7.45pm
Sunday, June 18
Italy (Jorginho) v TBC
Nations League finals | Netherlands
Madagascar v Ghana (Partey)
2024 AFCON qualifier | Antananarivo | 3pm
Monday, June 19
England (Saka, Ramsdale) v North Macedonia
Euro 2024 qualifier | Manchester | 7.45pm
Switzerland (Xhaka) v Romania
Euro 2024 qualifier | Lucerne | 7.45pm
USA (Balogun, Turner, Trusty) v TBC
Concacaf Nations League finals | Las Vegas
Tuesday, June 20
Scotland (Tierney) v Georgia
Euro 2024 qualifier | Glasgow | 7.45pm
Norway (Odegaard) v Cyprus
Euro 2024 qualifier | Oslo | 7.45pm
Moldova v Poland (Kiwior)
Euro 2024 qualifier | Chisinau | 7.45pm
Estonia (Hein) v Belgium
Euro 2024 qualifier | Tallinn | 7.45pm
Iceland (Runnarsson) v Portugal
Euro 2024 qualifier | Reykjavik | 7.45pm
I don’t watch any international matches including England games, they hold no interest to me whatsoever despite some of our players being involved.
Norway vs Scotland could be interesting, to evaluate some good players who may play in that match. such as Alexander Sorloth, Sander Berge and Che Adams
England vs North Macedonia is also useful to evaluate Bowen, Maddison and Rice, if they become starters
Same for me ,pointless group stages where the same teams go through barring the odd few surprises ,an hindrance to the PL usually when the season as just started if I recall (in September )
Obviously some fans enjoy it though but it’s outdated for me .
Reply ment for Marty
The above article listed international games aren’t meaningless but meaningful.
For, they are meaningful to the Countries involved and their managers/ coaches. Who are participating in the games. And also to the players who play the games. Because they have the aspirations, dreams and ambitions in themselves to play for their Countries as a mark of honour to their Countries. And gain more recognition for themselves in the fulfilment of their football playing lives and career.
Notwithstanding, from the point of view of the ardent football club fans. In respect to what their club players who play in those international games could cost their club teams, should any of them got injured.
This is understandable because injuries sufferered to the players in the international games, may cost their club teams in their matches.
I find almost ALL international matches boring and mostly pointless.
I WOULD choose to watch world cup games, if and JUST POSSIBLY when, FIFA ever decide to let a non corrupt and Neanderthal country host one.
I HAVE COMPLETELY SHUNNED THE LAST TWO WORLD CUPS, THEREFORE, as I refuse to support or condone evil.
They are some talents I haven’t seen much of due to the league they plays in, will be looking out for some dynamic full backs that may have slipped my attention.