Six Arsenal players set for extra training and rest during extended international break
Mikel Arteta is expected to enjoy some rest over the international break before Arsenal return to action against Leeds on October 10
Mikel Arteta will be eager to get back to work on the training pitch following Saturday's 3-0 bruising Premier League defeat at Brighton.
Unfortunately for the Spaniard, he will have to be patient because Arsenal are not back in action until October 10 when they host Leeds United due to the international break.
Problematically, the Gunners also have a large number of stars away with their countries, limiting the number of players available to train back at the Sobha Realty Training Centre over the next few weeks.
It also minimises the possibility of a behind-closed-doors friendly being arranged because Arsenal would struggle to generate the numbers to field a side.
Five players will get the chance to rest and put in some extra work though.
Goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Illan Meslier are not part of international squads, though Kepa was spotted leaving the Amex on Saturday with compatriots David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi.
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It suggests a high likelihood that Kepa was returning to his homeland with the three World Cup winners, potentially to visit family.
Most Premier League bosses are expected to grant non-international players time off at the start of the break but beyond that, there is scope for Kepa and Meslier to get back to work.
The pair have only made one combined appearance this season, 31-year-old Kepa featured in the 4-2 Carabao Cup win at Ipswich Town.
In terms of outfield players, Ben White will stay behind with Arsenal even though he was originally called up to represent England.
While White wasn't listed on the official squad announcement, Thomas Tuchel later revealed he'd planned to work with the Arsenal full-back but he was forced to pull out due to injury.
Ben White will get the chance to rest over the international break in a boost for Arsenal(Image: Jamie Johnston/Focus Images Ltd/Shutterstock)
The 28-year-old picked up a groin problem in the 2-0 win at Sunderland but speaking on Friday, Arteta hinted there was an outside chance he could feature at Brighton.
White never made the cut and will now get the chance to rest and recuperate over the course of the next few weeks.
The same also applies to Piero Hincapie who has been nursing a small muscular issue, thought to be his groin.
He will not be part of the Ecuador squad travelling to Asia for matches against South Korea, Japan and New Zealand or Panama and that will enable him to revive his condition with rest and individual training at Sobha. Hincapie was an unused substitute at Brighton on Saturday.
Finally, Noni Madueke arguably needs extra training more than any Arsenal first-team player. He was not included in Tuchel's latest England squad despite recently scoring at Ipswich in the League Cup.
He's played 176 minutes across all competitions this term, starting twice including the Community Shield.
Arsenal winger Noni Madueke has not been included in the England squad
But Madueke just isn't pushing Saka and he's not been as effective as he'd like from the bench when replacing his club and international team-mate.
He put in a lot of work during private training sessions pre-World Cup and post-World Cup but it's yet to translate into numbers for Arsenal.
In some ways, losing his spot with England could be the motive he needs to get back to his best form and the games are coming thick and fast for Arsenal over the coming weeks and months - so he will be needed.
While Kai Havertz has been called up to represent Germany, he will only participate in their first two Nations League matches.
After that, he is expected to rest but there is a strong chance he will report back for Arsenal training before the rest of his club team-mates and fellow internationals, which will help Arteta's preparations for Leeds.
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