Saka recovery step, triple player return and injury boost – Dream Arsenal international break

Arsenal enter the international break stewing over their defeat to Liverpool at Anfield after a tight game was lost thanks to a moment of magic from Dominik Szoboszlai. It was a fixture that could have gone either way, but now the Gunners must stew over the result for the next week.

The international break, however, does come somewhat at a good time for Mikel Arteta’s side. With as many as six players missing duty for their respective countries through injury, it allows them to not worry about missing another club match this weekend.

Breaks can be dangerous as Arteta will be sitting and praying not to get a phone call with any bad news. With that in mind, football.london takes a look at what the best-case scenario for the next ten days will be.

Clean bill of health

Last season, the Gunners lost Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori to significant injuries while they were away with their respective nations. These proved damaging for the club during the campaign and the players too.

With all the fit players, except Kepa Arrizabalaga, heading out on international duty, there are many matches to be played away from north London. Ideally, all will return, fit, and ready to face Nottingham Forest next week.

Triple player return

While there are fears over potential injury while players are fielded for their nations, there is also hope that some players not ready to feature this week will return after the break. Three in particular have issues that Arteta has described as being close to a return or where there is evidence that the damage is hopefully minor.

Both Ben White and Christian Norgaard were hopeful of making the squad for the trip to Liverpool. However, neither made the squad, and now William Saliba was lost early at Anfield with an issue but seemed to walk unaided afterwards, so there is hope all three players could be back for Forest.

Saka recovery boost

Bukayo Saka’s loss has been a huge blow, for the second time in less than a year. The talisman, not available for the biggest away game of the season, alongside the captain, their star defender, among others, adding up to more than £250million in transfer fees, couldn’t feature.

Saka might not have cost Arsenal a cent in transfer fees, but he’s their most threatening player, period. Over this break, if he can take big strides in his recovery to return as soon as possible, it will be a huge boost for the club. While Forest might come too soon, some estimates pinpoint Man City as a game where he might have a chance.