Morning all.
The below list of Arsenal players are alleged to be injured. Some withdrew from international duty pre this break, others have returned during it. Either way, Mikel Arteta potentially faces a selection nightmare ahead of the FA Cup game against Southampton on Saturday.
Ebe Eze
Declan Rice
Bukayo Saka
Martin Zubimendi
Gabriel
William Saliba
Piero Hincapie
Jurrien Timber
Leandro Trossard
Noni Madueke
Mikel Merino
Martin Odegaard
Personally, I think it’s all poppycock, certainly the injury part because I think it’s more about international managers knowing certain players have nothing to prove ahead of the World Cup and their place in the squad is already secure.
In the friendly fixtures, why not use other players who still have an outside chance of making the squad? It makes sense to me but then perhaps I’m biased because for the first time in many years, it’s Arsenal who are, I hope anyway, protecting their players because by the time we face Southampton on Saturday, all of those in the above list will have had either three weeks to rest, or the same time added to their recovery without missing a match.
Not even Arsenal could be this unlucky with injuries surely?
Later this year and into the 2026/27 season, FIFA have reportedly going to merge the September and October international breaks into a three week break. This has to be better for the players. One week less away from their clubs and less interruption to the domestic season. The November break is still set to go ahead but if the first merger is successful and if common sense comes into play, hopefully the November and March breaks will turn into a three week break too, preferably when the domestic/European schedule is not quite as hectic and certainly not when clubs are fighting hard for league titles, promotion or desperately trying to avoid relegation. International breaks are going nowhere so two is better than four. But ditch the friendlies, then we are less likely to see players leaving their respective international camps, certainly in March.
The internet is already in overdrive ahead of the summer transfer window. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been linked to Man Utd, Ethan Nwaneri has been linked with a move away for game time, both stories which are likely to be poppycock. This morning though, “[Arsenal are favourite](https://dailycannon.com/2026/03/arsenal-tresoldi-brugge-talks/)s” to sign German striker Nicolo Tresoldi from Club Brugge. True or not, who knows but I do think another striker will join the club this summer if Gabriel Jesus departs which hopefully he will. Not just him of course as personally, I think Leandro Trossard’s Arsenal days should come to an end too. A bit like Jesus, he was exactly what Arsenal needed at the time but times have changed. Arsenal have changed. I’d hate to see Gabriel Martinelli leave but that’s a case of heart ruling head. If a big offer comes in for him, I think Arsenal might accept it.
Whilst it seems too early to be thinking about the summer transfer window, I’m pretty sure Andrea Berta and his transfer will be doing just that. After all, that’s their job. Making the Arsenal squad stronger, regardless of what happens over the next two months.
Catch up in the comments.