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3 Arsenal players called up by Spain to face England

David Raya of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando ...

David Raya of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

Spain have called up three Arsenal players for the September-October international break, as they prepare to face England in their opening game.

Goalkeeper David Raya of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Spain have confirmed Luis de la Fuente’s list of call-ups for the upcoming international break, with three of Arsenal’s five Spanish internationals making the cut on this occasion.

David Raya, Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi are all involved, having also been in the squad for the World Cup over the summer. Then Kepa Arrizabalaga and Cristhian Mosquera miss out.

Kepa hasn’t been involved with Spain since 2023, and Mosquera has been out of action with an injury recently, so neither of them would have been expecting a call-up.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Nicolas Jackson of Aston Villa is challenged by Cristhian Mosquera of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Aston Villa FC and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on August 31, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s five England internationals will be keeping an eye on the Spain call-ups, as the two countries face off in their opening game of the break at Wembley Stadium.

England are sharing a Nations League group with the World Cup champions, so they face a tough task to finish top. Next Saturday’s group opener will surely see both teams keen to send a message.

Spain will then face Croatia (H, Sep. 29th), Czechia (H, Oct. 3rd), and Croatia (A, Oct. 6th) in their remaining games of the break, before playing their final two group matches during the November break.

Mikel Merino #6 of Spain celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Spain and Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Perhaps the big question ahead of the break is whether Raya might finally get more of a chance with Spain. The Arsenal goalkeeper has been in excellent form for a long time now, but particularly at the start of this season.

It was understandable that de la Fuente didn’t make a chance in the goalkeeper position ahead of the World Cup. Unai Simon’s experience was obviously a factor that was going to help Spain in the big games.

But for four Nations League fixtures, that same logic doesn’t apply. The Spain boss should simply pick his best goalkeeper, and there’s a strong argument that’s Raya.

David Raya #1 of Spain kisses the FIFA World Cup Winner's Trophy after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

3 Arsenal players called up by Spain to face EnglandSpain have called up three Arsenal players for the September-October international break, as they prepare to face England in their opening game.

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