Mikel Arteta is sure to have mixed feelings regarding the interruption to Arsenal’s league season. The international break has put a stop to the high-scoring league run of six games where his side have scored 19 goals.
However, there are some benefits to the stoppage after an injury to William Saliba against Sporting CP ruled the Frenchman out of action for the last league game before the break, leading to him pulling out of the France squad. The two weeks mean no league games are affected during this period of recovery, plus Gabriel Jesus, who returned against Fulham, has more time to get match fit.
Arteta has in the past used the international break to stage some behind-closed-door friendlies. Brentford and Watford, two close neighbours of the club have featured as well as Ipswich, however, this is unlikely to take place this time around.
