As the anticipation builds for March's international break, Arsenal Football Club is sending a noteworthy representation to their respective national teams. A total of 16 players from the North London squad have been called up for duty, which is an impressive roster showcasing the talent and depth of Arsenal's squad.
Notably, Myles Lewis-Skelly is earning his first call-up to the England squad. His addition reflects the youth talent being nurtured within Arsenal's ranks. Similarly, Martin Ødegaard, the Norwegian captain, is making a significant return to the international scene after a lengthy recovery from an injury that sidelined him since last September. This will surely bolster Norway’s efforts as they gear up for their upcoming matches.
Kieran Tierney is also making his return to the Scotland squad after a prolonged absence due to his injury sustained during Euro 2024. His inclusion is anticipated by Scottish fans who regard him as a crucial player in their quest for qualification and success in upcoming fixtures.
However, it's not all good news for Arsenal, as several key players will be missing due to injuries. The sidelined players include Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz, all unable to participate due to their ongoing recovery processes. Additionally, midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga has not been selected due to injury problems that have affected his season. Gabriel Martinelli and Ben White, while nearing fitness, have also been excluded from this round of international fixtures.
Neither Jorginho will get a chance to represent Italy during this international break, and Ethan Nwaneri will step up only to the England U21s, rather than the senior squad, for this round. Furthermore, although Nuno Tavares is included in the Portugal national team for the March break, fellow loanee Fabio Vieira has been omitted despite his strong performance for Porto this season, where he has contributed five goals or assists in just five games.
The full list of Arsenal players called up includes Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine), David Raya and Mikel Merino (Spain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Brazil), William Saliba (France), Kieran Tierney (Scotland), Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly (England), Jurrien Timber (Netherlands), Jakub Kiwior (Poland), Riccardo Calafiori (Italy), Thomas Partey (Ghana), Martin Ødegaard (Norway), Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Karl Hein (Estonia), and Nuno Tavares (Portugal). Each player will represent their country in various fixtures across the globe, adding to the intensity and excitement of the international dates ahead.
In detail, at least 14 of these Arsenal players will compete in significant matches. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard are slated to face each other when Ukraine meets Belgium in the Nations League, with both matches taking place on March 20 and March 23, 2025. Similarly, David Raya and Mikel Merino will clash with Jurrien Timber's Netherlands in back-to-back games during the same stretch.
Gabriel Magalhaes has a challenging schedule awaiting him, as Brazil will take on Colombia and Argentina on March 21 and March 26, respectively. Meanwhile, William Saliba will represent France in two fixtures against Croatia on March 20 and March 23. Declan Rice and Lewis-Skelly are scheduled to face Albania and Latvia, while Riccardo Calafiori's involvement with Italy will see them compete against Germany.
Players like Martin Ødegaard of Norway, Thomas Partey of Ghana, and Kieran Tierney with Scotland round out an exciting lineup of Arsenal's representatives in international football in the coming days. Ødegaard’s matches against Moldova and Israel are particularly crucial for his national team, while Tierney aims to solidify Scotland's position in their qualification campaign.
In addition, Jakub Kiwior will be representing Poland, playing against Lithuania and Malta. Finally, Ethan Nwaneri is expected to make his debut with the England U21 team, facing France U21 and Portugal U21 in their upcoming fixtures as well.
In conclusion, the international break provides an opportunity for Arsenal's players to shine on the global stage. As they don their national colors, each athlete looks to etch their contributions into their countries’ football history. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how their beloved Arsenal stars perform, hoping for injury-free returns and promising displays on the field.
