Arsenal will be well-represented during the first international break of the year.
Mikel Arteta's side have gone into the break full of confidence after beating Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon - their sixth Premier League victory in a row - and are now eight points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more.
There's a strong argument that the break has come at the worst possible time for Arsenal given the momentum they have built up in the league since losing to the Cityzens last month. Although, a counter-point is that everyone gets a mini-breather before reconvening for the final 10 games of the season.
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In any case, Arteta has revealed his one demand for his players jetting off around the globe, with Euro 2024 and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers taking centre stage.
"That they [the international players] really look after themselves in this period," he said. "We will look after the players that are with us here. That they come back with the same mindset and hunger from before to go into Leeds, which is the only important game right now. We know it."
Following William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu's withdrawal from the France and Japan squads, respectively, because of injury, the number of senior Arsenal stars on international duty has decreased, yet there are as many as 14 first-team players set to be in action for their national teams over the next fortnight.
Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka have been called up by Gareth Southgate to the England senior squad. It remains to be seen if the former gets his chance over Jordan Pickford in goal, but it's almost certain that the latter will feature against an Italy side on Thursday night that might contain Jorginho and possibly go head-to-head with Oleksandr Zinchenko in the Ukraine clash this Sunday.
Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe has been named in the England U21s squad so could use fixtures against France and Croatia to build up his match sharpness. January signing Jakub Kiwior is another in need of minutes and could get his wish when Poland face Czech Republic and Albania.
Matt Turner is in the USMNT squad for games against Grenada and El Salvador, Karl Hein could win his 19th and 20th senior cap for Estonia against Hungary and Austria, Thomas Partey has been called up by Ghana, whilst Kieran Tierney will be hoping to feature for Scotland against Spain and Martin Odegaard's Norway.
Granit Xhaka is expected to captain Switzerland against Belarus and Israel, Leandro Trossard could lead the Belgium attack against Sweden and Germany, whilst Fabio Vieira is still eligible for the Portugal U21s, so could be in action against both Romania and Norway.
Loanees
There are a few senior members of this season's Arsenal loan army to keep an eye on during the international break as well, with Auston Trusty in line to make his debut for the USMNT, Runar Alex Runarsson is in the Iceland squad, Folarin Balogun is with the England U21s and Nuno Tavares will be reunited with Fabio Vieira with Portugal's U21s.
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