Arsenal’s players have left bar seven of the senior group to join up with their respective nations for the international break. While plenty will be looking to find some form or continue their fine displays from the start of the season, there is a chance for some respite for a few.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was given a dream scenario in September when his players all avoided injury, and the hope is, touch wood, this will be the case again. These breaks have been a thorn in the side for the Gunners in previous seasons.
This one comes just as Arsenal moved to the summit of the table following their win over West Ham and Liverpool’s defeat at Chelsea. Therefore, it makes sense for football.london to assess what a dream scenario this time around might look like.
Odegaard returns early
The bad news which befell Arteta prior to the break’s kick-off was that Martin Odegaard had suffered a medial collateral ligament injury in the win over West Ham. The severity of the injury is not yet known.
In the best-case scenario, the captain will only need a couple of weeks of recovery, in which case this break could not be better-timed. We will hear from Arteta in his first press conference after the break next Friday.
Mikel Arteta desire realised
Beyond the existing players that are out, it will be, of course, a dream of the manager’s that all his side come through unscathed. With so many of his squad away with their teams playing potentially two matches, fingers will be firmly crossed.
Meanwhile, Piero Hincapie could fully recover from his groin issue. Arteta confirmed they were expecting him back after the break.
Viktor Gyokeres finds the net
It will be more than a month when Arsenal resume Premier League action away at Fulham on October 18 since Viktor Gyokeres’ last goal for the club. A lengthening drought but now away with Sweden he has the chances to find some form.
Sweden host both Switzerland and Kosovo in their two World Cup qualifiers. Currently third in Group B, they need to win these matches if they have a hope of making it to the North American tournament next year – Gyokeres will be at the centre of it alongside Alexander Isak.
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