International squad announcements hold the power to garner mixed responses from managers and supporters alike, but the latest round of call-ups is certainly good news for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.
Whilst players jetting off around the world to represent their respective countries is a huge honour, it can also be viewed as a disruption at club level. For example, the Gunners had to make do without Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Nicolas Pepe at the beginning of the year due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
As things panned out, the trio only ended up missing one Premier League game. But had Partey not been sent-off in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool, Arsenal may have been able to use his surprise early return to their advantage.
