3 main targets for Arsenal during the international break

Much to everyone’s despair, the international break is here. Having enjoyed a fruitful spell of domestic football with Arsenal playing 17 matches since the previous break, it’s back. Although, for once, it’s actually an exciting break with huge World Cup play-off matches to come.

On a fine run of form that has seen the Gunners pick up 31 points from the last 39 available, the latest halt might not be coming at the ideal time. Momentum is with the team and another game to maintain the push for the top four could have been preferred.

Then again, after three games in six days, perhaps a bit of time away from the camp might do them (and the recruitment team) some favours. Who knows.

What is known that that the vast majority of the Gunners’ senior squad is away with their national sides.

3 main targets for Arsenal during the international break as the majority of the squad – including White, Saka and Smith Rowe – feature for their nations

Gabriel, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Aaron Ramsdale would have linked up with their nations were it not for the former expecting the birth of his child and the latter two missing out with injury. Among those who are going is English trio Benjamin White, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.

Mikel Arteta won’t take charge for another Premier League game until April 4 when his side face an in-form Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, who recently celebrated progression to the FA Cup semi-finals under the legendary Patrick Vieira. It’s not often a different fanbase loves a club’s manager more than they do.

But while Vieira will have a larger contingent of his squad available over the break, Arteta has only two goalkeepers, one central defender and two strikers aside from those who are injured. It’s going to be an interesting mix in training.

Over this period the manager will be limited as to what he can do, but there are still three targets to aim for over this period.

1. Get Takehiro Tomiyasu & Aaron Ramsdale Back Fit

The backroom team will have their work cut out during this two week period with two key stars for Arsenal nursing injuries.

Tomiyasu has been dealing with niggling calf problems for the past few weeks, missing the last seven Premier League matches in the process which has handed Cedric his longest run in the team since joining the club.

While the 30-year-old has done well, the need for quality in depth and greater defensive assurance will increase as the fixtures pile on and huge games await, so it is hoped that this spell without matches will be enough to get the right-back up to speed.

Arteta said he was close (he never tells the full story) prior to the Aston Villa win, so hope is he won’t be too far behind.

As for Ramsdale, the manager said ‘a few weeks’ out are expected, which could be anywhere from two to four, if not more. Again, very vague.

Bernd Leno deserves a shout for putting in a performance of confidence and solidity having barely played and being thrust into the unfamiliar territory of not playing, but his kicking still leaves a lot to be desired by comparison and the sooner Ramsdale is back the better.

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