Winning three and drawing one in their last four league games before the international break has rejuvenated Arsenal’s season. A form which also see the manager pick up the Manager of the month award for September.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday September 26, 2021. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
The Gunners haven’t really get going in front of goal so far in the league. The 3-1 win over Tottheham Hotspur was the only time they have scored multiple goals in a league game this season.
However, the players have thrived for their respective countries in the international break, with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe all getting on the score sheet for their Nation.
Thomas Partey was very vital for the Black Stars of Ghana, scoring a goal in each of their two world cup qualifying games of the October international break.
Bukayo Saka started and scored in England’s 5-0 win against Andorra, while also coming on as a substitute in their 1-1 draw with Hungary.
Fellow Englishman Emile Smith Rowe was eye-catching with his display against Slovenia and Andorra for the U21. He was also able to add a goal cap his performance with the only goal in their 1-0 win over the later.
Nicolas Pepe registered a goal for Ivory Coast in his only appearance of the international break and captain Aubameyang scored for Gabon in a 2-0 win over Angola.
Martin Ødegaard captained his country Norway as they picked up four points in two games against Turkey and Montenegro as they keep their world cup hopes alive.
Nuno Tavares also starred for the Portuguese under 21, scoring one and assisting two in their 11-1 demolition of Liechtenstein under 21, while also keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Iceland under 21.
Full backs Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney were also very impressive for Japan and Scotland respectively. While goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale even if did not feature for England will be feeling positive and confident for being called up to the National team.
Granit Xhaka remains absent with injury as Arsenal face Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in their first two games after the international break before hosting Leeds United in the round four of the Carabao Cup.
It looks promising for The Gunners if the players can turn up as they did for their respective countries during the international break and secure valuable points which will see them move up the table and powers their case for European football next season.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
