3 Arsenal players who are finishing the international break on thin ice

Games will be coming thick and fast and there are several first-team names back in contention after injury – two factors that mean some Arsenal players might find themselves on thin ice following this international break.

The Gunners were down to slim pickings at Sunderland last week but their injury crisis is expected to subside upon the domestic return, with Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz all eyeing up an NLD comeback.

To welcome back stars of such calibre is a huge boost for Mikel Arteta as he prepares for the festive period. However, it also presents a challenge and he has his work cut out for him to manage game time as well as squad morale over the next few weeks.

3 Arsenal players who might finish the international break on thin ice at club level

Tough decisions must be made, and here are three Arsenal players who may come out the wrong side of them later this month.

1. Eberechi Eze

Shame to include him here but Eberechi Eze has not quite hit the heights since making the move to north London.

Injuries for Martin Odegaard gave him an extended run in the first team, albeit in his less-favoured CAM role, and he failed to take advantage of it.

Matches against West Ham, Fulham and Sunderland largely passed him by – to some extent because of a cautious collective approach – and fans did not get a chance to see his undeniable talent flourish.

Eze is still a fabulous player and being shoehorned into midfield rather than operating at LW has no doubt stalled his progression.

But there is no room for passengers in this Arsenal team and returns for both Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard mean he could find game time harder to come by over the next few matches.

Surely, he will come good.

2. Viktor Gyokeres

This is perhaps the toughest call for Arteta.

The boss has heaped praise onto Viktor Gyokeres in recent times and the Swede himself is earning a cult following of sorts from Arsenal fans, his physicality and never-say-die attitude making him a fan favourite.

But any love from the stands is trumped by a much stronger force: the love that Arteta harbours for Kai Havertz.

Many of the Gunners’ faithful feel the same. As a striker, Havertz has proved his worth to this team but he has effectively been out of the picture since February, with only the last few dead rubbers of 2024/25 and 30 minutes versus Manchester United back in August to his name in an Arsenal shirt since then.

His ability to link play and form an aerial threat make it hard to envisage Havertz being left out much upon his return to fitness. It might be harsh on Gyokeres and his absence was certainly felt up in the north east last time out, but Havertz is still top dog.  

3. Gabriel Martinelli

Even if he was flavour of the month not long ago.

Up until his injury, Gabriel Martinelli had been enjoying arguably his best football since the 2022/23 campaign.

Three goals and an assist in four UCL appearances is a fantastic tally and, in the Atletico Madrid clash last month, his strike demonstrated the sort of clinical touch which he seemed to have lost in recent years.

Yet, groin trouble lent Leandro Trossard the LW berth and he seized his chance emphatically.

Trossard is the unsung hero of the campaign so far as his crucial goals at Sunderland, Fulham and Athletic Club dug Arsenal out at key moments, while his all-round play and direct passes have had a transformative impact on the frontline.

To start, the ‘threat’ of Trossard could help Martinelli; the Brazilian needs to manage his workload in the first weeks back. But there will be serious competition for places before long – will Martinelli be able to retain his place?

Perhaps it will drive them both on.