Arsenal and international workloads: 'Dark arts' or shrewd conduct?

Mikel Arteta is taking ‘dark arts’ to a level not even Lord V****mort could reach.

Over previous international breaks, Arsenal fans have bemoaned our ‘honest’ stance and a general willingness to let first-team players join up with their national teams, something for which the club paid dearly last month (e.g. Martin Odegaard injured for Norway, Riccardo Calafiori subbed off versus France).  

But change is now afoot. This week, the Gunners will ‘only’ send ten men on international duty and keep several key figures at their London base, with Kai Havertz (knee), Thomas Partey (illness) and Jurrien Timber (muscle) just some of those who will not be featuring in national team colours during the domestic hiatus.  

While still a considerable number, the slight decrease (compared to 12, 13 and 17 call-ups over the last three breaks respectively) indicates that Arsenal are becoming savvier on this front and hold an active role in managing individual workloads – one they are not afraid to exercise.

And these ‘dark’ methods are not at all underhand as it seems the club have been quite up front about their ‘self-serving’ interests, with Arsenal journalist Charles Watts reporting how there is a mutual understanding between the German and Ghanaian camps and the Gunners that Havertz and Partey, although perhaps unable to play, also need rest time after a busy start to the campaign.

Are Arsenal being shrewd this international break, or is this just more 'dark arts' by Mikel Arteta?

It might rub people up the wrong way, especially as the injuries/workload issues do not look too severe and many of those left at home will be expected to return for the trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Furthermore, it is strange for Arsenal to have such influence over national setups given how this break includes lots of important games (e.g. Nations League matches and AFCON qualifiers, rather than friendlies).

Nevertheless, it makes total sense for Arteta and co. to look after themselves and suggests that we are putting our foot down to avoid a repeat of the September injury fright – another step towards our new ‘toughening up’ identity which, also, makes a practical difference to player welfare that lies beyond the usual lip service.

Our shrewd actions are, ultimately, nothing to be ashamed of and they should help the team to cope better with a hectic November schedule (matches against Inter Milan, Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon all lined up for next month), in addition to the following Christmas period.

‘Dark arts’ is an unfair label, but the boss has certainly worked his magic here.

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