STADIO GIUSEPPE MEAZZA, MILAN, ITALY - 2022/09/23: Bukayo Saka of England looks on during the UEFA Nations League football match between Italy and England. Italy won 1-0 over England. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
How did the Arsenal players fare during the September international break?
by Adam Schultz
Several Arsenal stars were in action over the last two weeks, but how did they fair for their countries?
For many, the international break is not a welcome sight. It means that club football takes a backseat for a fortnight, and the only thing that can happen is injuries. Arsenal has not had a good record when their best players jet off for international duty.
Luckily, aside from a couple of players, it looks like we got through relatively unscathed this time with Thomas Partey the only real worry for Mikel Arteta ahead of the North London Derby this weekend.
How did the Arsenal players fare during the September international break?
Nevertheless, several Arsenal stars were in action for their nations over the past 14 days, so let’s look at how they fared across the two weeks.
Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale – England
Italy (A) – Friday 23 September & Germany (H) – Monday 26 September.
Aaron Ramsdale was an unused substitute for the Three Lions in both games, while Bukayo Saka started against the Italians in an unfamiliar left wing-back role. Against Germany, Saka came on as a substitute and changed the game.
Saka started the attack for Luke Shaw’s goal, set up Mason Mount, and played Jude Bellingham in for his penalty. Saka was introduced in the 66th minute and was the catalyst for England grabbing a draw.
Saka played a total of 105 minutes across the two games, while Ramsdale did not see the field in either game.
Continued on next slide…
Saka came on as a substitute and changed the game.</a></p>
<p>Saka started the attack for Luke Shaw’s goal, set up Mason Mount, and played Jude Bellingham in for his penalty. Saka was introduced in the 66th minute and was the catalyst for England grabbing a draw.</p>
<p>Saka played a total of 105 minutes across the two games, while Ramsdale did not see the field in either game.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Saliba - France </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-129685 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2337,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1427433348.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2337" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1427433348.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1427433348-768x561.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – SEPTEMBER 25: William Saliba of France during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 match between Denmark and France at Parken Stadium on September 25, 2022, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>William Saliba – France</h2>
<p><strong>Austria (H) – Thursday 22 September & Denmark (A) – Sunday 25 September.</strong></p>
<p>Saliba came on as a substitute in the 23rd minute of France’s 2-0 win over Austria and helped his national team secure a clean sheet.</p>
<p>The young defender then started against Denmark and was subbed out at half-time as France conceded two goals in six minutes as they lost 2-0 to the Danes.</p>
<p>Saliba played a total of 68 minutes for France across the two games.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Xhaka - Switzerland </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-129684 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1243554613.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1243554613.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1243554613-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Switzerland’s midfielder Granit Xhaka controls the ball during the UEFA Nations League League A group 2 football match between Switzerland and the Czech Republic at Kybunpark stadium in St. Gallen on September 27, 2022. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Granit Xhaka – Switzerland</h2>
<p><strong>Spain (A) – Saturday 24 September & Czech Republic (H) – Tuesday 27 September.</strong></p>
<p>Xhaka started in Switzerland’s impressive 2-1 win over Spain and played the full 90 minutes for his country. The midfielder again played the full 90 minutes as the Swiss defeated the Czech Republic 2-1.</p>
<p>Xhaka played 180 across the international break.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Turner - USA </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-129683 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1243538486.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1243538486.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1243538486-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">DUSSELDORF – United States men’s national team goalkeeper Matt Turner during the Japan vs. United States International Friendly match held at the Dusseldorf Arena on September 23, 2022, in Dusseldorf, Germany. ANP | Dutch Height | Maurice van Steen (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Matt Turner – USA</h2>
<p><strong>Japan (A) – Friday 23 September & Saudi Arabia (A) – Tuesday 27 September.</strong></p>
<p>Matt Turner started for the USA in their 2-0 loss to Japan and our backup keeper was again in from the start against Saudi Arabia and kept a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Matt Turner starts for USA against Saudi Arabia. </p>
<p>Good luck Matt💪 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://t.co/2HOvBTlDOu">pic.twitter.com/2HOvBTlDOu
<p>— THE ARSENAL. (@NdubuezePrince5) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://twitter.com/NdubuezePrince5/status/1574817075671060482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 27, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>It was valuable game time for Turner who has only played one competitive game for the Gunners since signing – the Europa League win over FC Zurich.</p>
<p>The keeper played 180 minutes across the two games.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Tomiyasu - Japan </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-129682 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1243538098.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1243538098.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1243538098-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">DUSSELDORF – Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan during the Japan vs. United States International Friendly Match at the Dusseldorf Arena on September 23, 2022, in Dusseldorf, Germany. ANP | Dutch Height | Maurice van Steen (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Takehiro Tomiyasu – Japan</h2>
<p><strong>USA (H) – Friday 23 September & Ecuador (A) – Tuesday 27 September.</strong></p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Tomiyasu started and played the entire game in Japan’s 2-0 win over the USA. The right-back had struggled for consistent game time at Arsenal as Ben White seems to be the preferred option.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Takehiro Tomiyasu has withdrawn from the Japan squad and will not feature in Tuesday’s friendly against Ecuador. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/afc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#afc</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://t.co/Thp5ysLKIu">pic.twitter.com/Thp5ysLKIu
<p>— Arsenal Buzz (@ArsenalBuzzCom) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://twitter.com/ArsenalBuzzCom/status/1573598309326913539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The right-back returned to the club before Japan’s second game against Ecuador with the Japan FA citing “club circumstances” as the reason why.</p>
<p>Tomiyasu completed 90 minutes for his country.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Thomas Partey - Ghana </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-129681 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1239605683.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1239605683.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1239605683-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Ghana’s Thomas Partey (R) vies with Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen (C) during the World Cup 2022 qualifying football match between Nigeria and Ghana at the National Stadium in Abuja on March 29, 2022. (Photo by Pius Utomi EKPEI / AFP) (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Thomas Partey – Ghana</h2>
<p><strong>Brazil (A) – Friday 23 September & Nicaragua (A) – Tuesday 27 September.</strong></p>
<p>As a result of a knock picked up just minutes before he was due to start, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/27/arsenal-hopeful-thomas-partey-fit-north-london-derby/">Partey was not risked</a> against Brazil and the Ghana FA granted our midfielder permission to return to the club for further tests.</p>
<p>The Arsenal midfielder did not play a single minute during the international break.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Tierney - Scotland </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-129680 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/28/international-round-up-arsenal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1426986626.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1426986626.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1426986626-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Kieran Tierney of Scotland leaves the field after receiving medical treatment during the UEFA Nations League League B Group 1 match between Scotland and the Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park National Stadium on September 24, 2022, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Kieran Tierney – Scotland</h2>
<p><strong>Ukraine (H) – Wednesday 21 September, Ireland (H) – Saturday 24 September &Ukraine (N) – Tuesday 27 September.</strong></p>
<p>Tierney started for Scotland against Ukraine in a 3-0 win and was substituted with four minutes of normal time remaining. Our left-back again started for his country against Ireland but was substituted just minutes before half-time due to a head knock.</p>
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<p>He returned to Arsenal as a result and did not play another minute for Scotland.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
