For long term readers of the blog, you will know how much I hate international breaks. Especially these early season ones where we seem to play 3 or 4 domestic games and then stop for 2 weeks. But this time round, the break has come at a good time for The Arsenal.
We have started the season in scintillating fashion. Level on points with top of the league, beaten both Manchester clubs and unbeaten.
With Chelsea up next, the 2-week break will be a chance for some of Mikel Arteta’s walking wounded to get back to 100%.
Bukayo Saka was reportedly touch and go whether he would make the bench for Manchester City. In the end Arteta opted to leave him out. And, despite Gareth Southgate’s best efforts, he now has 2-weeks of rest and rehabilitation.
Coming off the bench against Manchester City were Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli. Both had a positive impact on the game.
Martinelli, having missed 3 weeks of football, has been left out of the Brazil squad. This gives our fitness staff 2 weeks to get him fully fit and ready to start against Chelsea.
Whilst Martinelli has been left out, Thomas Partey has been called up to the Ghana squad. This is a little surprising considering last Saturday was the first time he had kicked a ball in anger in 6 weeks.
However, getting some game time might be a positive for Partey who sometimes takes a while to get going again following injury. He is one of those that needs 2 or 3 first team games before he hits his top form.
I would not be surprised if Arsenal send out a member of our medical team out to America, where the Black Stars are set to play the USA and Mexico during international break. Back in March, Partey was joined on international duty by club physio Simon Murphy.
These non-comptitive games will give Partey some minutes ahead of the Chelsea game. Partey and Rice is the midfield I expect us to go for in the tougher away games.
William Saliba has been in fine form this season, and has been an ever present in both the Premier League and Champions League. He has yet to miss a minute in either competition. Saliba’s only break came in the League Cup.
Arsenal have reportedly been managing a “chronic toe injury“. Whilst it is certainly not an injury that would stop him playing, it is something that needs rest to be fully heeled. The club will be hoping that they can use the 2 weeks break to repair the damage.
The international week will also see fringe players such as Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny get game time. This will be important in keeping them match sharp ahead of the winter period.
Whilst the break is frustrating from my point of view in terms of getting to go to games, I think this one could hugely benefit the fitness of the team. And hopefully we benefit from a fitter Martinelli and Partey against Chelsea, as well as the return of Saka.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 