When 17 Arsenal players headed away on international duty, the extended September-October break presented Mikel Arteta with the prospect of some of his squad playing four times before returning to north London.
Arsenal’s European internationals have now completed their work for this window, and the Nations League groups are beginning to take shape.
For several Gunners, it has been a hugely successful couple of weeks, with goals, assists and countries sitting at the top end of their respective groups.
Viktor Gyokeres has arguably enjoyed the standout international break.
The Arsenal striker scored the winner as Sweden beat Romania 1-0 on Monday, extending his record Nations League scoring streak to seven matches. Sweden now lead League B Group 4 with ten points, two ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It completes an excellent window for Gyokeres after we already looked at his record-breaking run for Sweden.
Jurrien Timber’s Netherlands also sit top of their group. They have eight points in League A Group 2, level with Christos Tzolis’ Greece but currently occupying first place. Kai Havertz’s Germany are third on five points, although his involvement with the national team ended after their opening two matches of the window.
Riccardo Calafiori enjoyed a particularly good finish with Italy, coming off the bench to score in Monday’s 3-1 victory over Türkiye. Italy are second in Group A1 with seven points, three behind France.
Ceadach O’Neill’s Northern Ireland also lead their group. Their goalless draw with Georgia left them top of League B Group 2 on eight points, one ahead of Hungary.
It has been more difficult for Martin Odegaard and Norway. Their 2-1 defeat in Portugal left them fourth in Group A4 on three points, with Portugal already through to the quarter-finals.
At least the Arsenal captain came through the game after the ankle concerns that followed his earlier clash with Bernardo Silva.
James Scanlon’s Gibraltar sit second in League D Group 1, behind leaders Malta.
Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes were away with Brazil rather than competing in the Nations League, so there is no group position to assess for them.
(Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
The final night produced perhaps the biggest Arsenal contribution of the entire window.
Spain came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in Split, maintaining their perfect record and sealing their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
According to Reuters, Mikel Merino was introduced at half-time with Spain trailing 1-0 before scoring both goals in the comeback.
Merino equalised after 61 minutes before striking again in the 89th minute to complete the turnaround. Martin Zubimendi also came off the bench and was involved in the build-up to the winner, while David Raya remained an unused substitute.
It caps an outstanding international break for Merino, who had already scored after coming off the bench in Spain’s 3-1 victory over Czechia on Saturday.
Spain now have a perfect 12 points from four matches and are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals.
England will remain directly behind them after completing their own window with a convincing 3-0 win over Czechia at Wembley.
Eberechi Eze and Myles Lewis-Skelly both started for Thomas Tuchel, with Lewis-Skelly picking up a second-half booking. Bukayo Saka, having scored twice in England’s 7-0 demolition of Croatia, was left on the bench throughout.
Harry Kane scored twice after a Czech own goal had opened the scoring, leaving England second in Group A3 on nine points, three behind Spain.
With Croatia back on three points and Czechia yet to register one, England are also now in an extremely strong position to reach the knockout stages when the Nations League resumes in November.
For Arsenal, attention can finally turn back to club football.
After an unusually long international window, Arteta will now be hoping his returning players arrive back at London Colney fit and ready for the Premier League restart.
Which Arsenal player impressed you most during this international break? Let us know in the comments.
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