Why this international break is great for Arsenal
We all complain about losing two weeks of proper football when these boring international breaks take all our Arsenal players on mostly unproductive friendlies or mismatched Qualifying games, risking injuries and fatigue setting in, but just for a change I am more than happy to the break to be happening at this time, especially as it means that Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin, Kieran Tierney and Alexandre Lacazette have stayed at home to maximise their recovery after long-term injuries.
But there is even better news than that. Everyone makes lists of which Arsenal players have gone away with their national teams, but I am going to give you a list of the players that have STAYED AT HOME and will be fully rested after the break and ready to face our next games.
Bellerin
Holding
Sokratis
Luis,
Mustafi
Niles
Tierney
Chambers
Ozil
Martinelli
Lacazette
That is a very good basis for a top team that will be good enough to take on most Premier League teams. If you add to that list Emi Martinez, Bernd Leno and Dani Ceballos, who have been called up but only been on the subs bench, we should be more than healthy enough to cover for any players that need to recover from the internationals.
Another advantage is that after the break, our first three games are against Sheffield United, Vittoria Guimares and home to Crystal Palace, you can see that this interlull should not affect the smooth running of our season in any way at all….
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I thought Greece called up sokratis? Or has he retired
He doesn’t usually miss their matches
And don’t forget Xhaka is on paternity leave!!
I think that was the last time he scored Sue
😂😂😂😂 brilliant, John!!!
Arsenal have plenty of time and lesser matches to make the new Gunners click before Man City’s visit. They have to try Maitland-Niles in the middle, perhaps he can be better than Guendouzi, Willock, Ceballos and Torreira
If I were Emery, I’d play Pepe in Europa League and other easy matches until he is ready for EPL’s intensity. I’d swap his place with Nelson, Aubameyang or Martinelli
Tierney looks ready for EPL, but I believe Kolasinac would be upset if he has to play in cup matches to give way to Tierney. Bellerin rarely defended well in his prime, so he has to work harder to replace Chambers
Tierny is far better than Kolasinac,so if he want to be upset…He should improve his game instead…
We should have a full squad to pick from after the international break. Sheffield will be under intense pressure. Can’t wait for this international break to be over
Tierney is definatly going to hit the ground running…He has the kind of quality only british players have:directness ,the precision of his crosses are a joy to watch…Loking forward to see more of our own Robertson.
I hate International breaks
I’m always worried about any injuries and it’s boring without Arsenal football
On the list they are mostly defenders…Mostly
I am an ardent Arsenal fan for 49 years..now days we dont play our usual games..we dont have good players to give right passes to our main strikers..we give away ball often eadily..Leno is talented but never kicks ball in tight areas..please Emery and players give us good games..we love to watch good matches..winning and losing is part of life..but giving up without a fight is not worth to watch..
Arsenal can end up in 2nd position if properly managed, as for Mr Kola he is in scintillating form so Tierney should not be introduced quickly because we know Mr Kola will still go to sleep. LOL
It is the optimum time to make changes to squad. Tiereny on the left, and replace Xhaka (I would try D. Luiz or L. Torriera beside Matteo G. and willock). I would try holding and chambers as cb and introduce Bellerin but I understand Chambers is in form on the right side.
Wow sue, been looking forward to this paternity leave for Xhaka. Hopefully we go on a run of 5 wins with any midfield 3 we choose and banish him to the bench forever…
I’m all for that, Gogo 👍👍
So much for paternity leave – Xhaka’s playing!!!
His wife Unai was OK with it !
He’s on a promise tonight, Le Coq 😜