Mikel Arteta is set to be without an array of his Arsenal stars, with the international break having brought Premier League action to a halt but the Gunners’ boss is still keen to get out on the training pitch
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta is set to get back on the training pitch(Image: Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta will be putting Arsenal’s non-internationals to work over the next few weeks as he aims to make the most of the enforced break.
Premier League action has been brought to a pause due to the first international break of the campaign. And it might have come at the best possible time for Mikel Arteta and his staff following the 3-0 defeat to Brighton in their most recent outing.
In an ideal world, Arteta would have all of his players available to find out exactly what went wrong at the Amex. Unfortunately, a whole array of stars have flown away to all corners of the globe after getting call-ups from their national teams.
But that does not mean that Arteta will not be on the training pitch over the coming weeks. Ben White is set to remain with Arsenal for the international break after an intriguing turn of events.
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He was not originally called into the England squad, albeit Thomas Tuchel did confirm that he wanted to work with the defender. White was then forced out through injury and will now rest but could potentially train under Arteta.
Fellow defender Piero Hincapie has also been nursing a small groin issue and has been left out of the Ecuador squad as a consequence. After being named on the bench against Brighton, he could complete an individual training plan over the coming weeks.
Arteta could also have a couple of goalkeepers to call upon throughout the international break. Illan Meslier is set to be available, while Kepa has not been called up by Spain - albeit he was spotted leaving the Amex alongside David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi so could opt for a return to his homeland over the break.
The final player who Arteta could look to work with is Noni Madueke. Despite having gone to the World Cup, the wideman was not selected for Tuchel in his latest camp so will be aiming to sharpen up over the coming weeks.
Ben White and Noni Madueke
Ben White and Noni Madueke are set to stay in North London(Image: Getty Images)
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There is a question mark over the availability of Kai Havertz. The forward was named in Jurgen Klopp’s first Germany squad but the ex-Liverpool boss has been somewhat unconventional and named two separate selections.
Havertz is one of those who will drop out for the second round of fixtures, albeit it remains to be seen whether he opts to return to North London or not. If he does, Havertz would be another first-team star available for training.
Speaking about the international break before the defeat at Brighton, Mikel Arteta said: “Let's see, it's something that we'll have to experience. As you've seen, different national teams, different managers have taken different approaches in terms of the numbers that they have put in the squad.
“So it's going to be really important to have good communication with them so they understand where our players are, what we expect, what they expect as well. And work together, that's the best way always.”