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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Odegaard fumes, Xhaka shines and Tierney boost in new role - Arsenal international round-up

The first round of fixtures in the March international break have now been completed as Mikel Arteta can look forward to welcoming back his senior Arsenal players from next week.

Even with the likes of Benjamin White, Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli not being called up for international duty, it has certainly been an incident-filled few days for the 14 Gunners senior players selected - but most importantly no injuries reported.

Perhaps, the other main talking point is the fact that Kieran Tierney got 90 minutes under his belt as Scotland cruised to a 3-0 win over Cyprus at Hampden Park. Of course, as is the case when the left-back returns home, he is assigned a new role as a left-sided centre-back - a position he is well suited for according to Steve Clarke.

READ MORE: Managing Arsenal as Rasmus Hojlund signs, Kieran Tierney replaced and ten more leave this summer

With the other Arsenal internationals competing in qualifiers for either Euro 2024 or the Africa Cup of Nations or, in some cases friendlies at U21 level, football.london takes a look at how they fared whilst in action for their respective countries over the past few days.

Aaron Ramsdale was an unused substitute as Harry Kane became England's all-time leading scorer in the 2-1 win over Italy on Thursday night, Matt Turner was visibly frustrated to have conceded in USMNT's 7-1 thrashing of Grenada, whilst saving a penalty was some consolation for Karl Hein with Estonia losing 1-0 to Hungary.

Sticking with the Three Lions' victory in Naples, that Euro 2024 qualifier also meant Bukayo Saka came out on top against Jorginho and the Gunners winger can do the same this evening, if he starts, as Ukraine and Oleksandr Zinchenko are the visitors to Wembley Stadium.

A nightmare start to the game saw Jakub Kiwior's Poland lose 3-1 to Czech Republic, but Thomas Partey played the entire 90 minutes as Ghana beat Angola, Fabio Vieira was a second half substitute as Portugal U21's beat Romania 2-0 and Leandro Trossard started Belgium's 3-0 win over Sweden.

Then on Saturday, Granit Xhaka scored for the third successive game for club and country, and also claimed an assist as Switzerland cruised to victory against Belarus, Emile Smith Rowe was on the scoresheet for England U21's against their French counterparts and Martin Odegaard suffered defeat as Norway captain away at Spain.

However, Arsenal fans were less than impressed with Rodri's tackle on Odegaard and the Norwegian, after seemingly avoiding a serious injury, hit out at the tackle.

"He’s coming with his studs right on my ankle," he told TV2. "But I’m sure I’ll get punished [if I say anymore]. I don’t bother saying anything else about the referee. It’s better not to say anything."

READ NEXT:

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What Man City's Rodri did to Martin Odegaard to send Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans into frenzy

Oleksandr Zinchenko breaks silence on Mykhailo Mudryk Arsenal snub ahead of England vs Ukraine

Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium

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