Arsenal have a huge run of games ahead of them, with Champions League qualification on the line. Mikel Arteta has guided his side to fourth in the Premier League, three points and one game in hand over fifth-placed Tottenham.
If the Gunners continue on their good run of form, then a return to Europe’s top competition is on the cards, but they will need everything to go their way. With Manchester United, Chelsea, West Ham and Spurs all to come before the end of the season, the race for the top four is hardly over yet.
Before then, there is a two-week break until the next set of Premier League fixtures, with international games making a return for March. It may give Arteta time to prepare for the run-in, but it could also hand him his nightmare scenario.
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While having a number of players away on international duty suggests that the individuals, as well as the club, are doing something right, it is not always an advantage. Adding two more fixtures to the players’ plate as well as travel, training and then a return to the club makes for a packed schedule.
If they were to get injured or come back in poor physical condition, then that could hand the manager a difficult task when the Gunners face Crystal Palace in their first game back. The club had as many as 14 players called up for their nation, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale having to drop out from the England squad due to an already existing injury.
One player that the Gunners will be keen to not lose is Ben White, whose performances have continued to lead the team from the back. The centre-back is currently away on duty with England, his second call-up for the Three Lions since his inclusion in the preliminary squad for Euro 2020.
Another one that would be a huge miss is that of Gabriel Martinelli. The young winger ’s form for Arsenal has impressed so much that he received a first call-up to the Brazil squad for this set of fixtures.
While he could make his debut, the club will be hopeful that he comes back unscathed as his form has been scintillating as of late. While the Gunners don't play until Monday night, they will be wary that Brazil's second fixture kicks off after midnight on Wednesday in the UK, meaning he's unlikely to be able to take a big part in training back at Arsenal until at least Friday. His directness and trickery make him a handful for any defender and would be a huge miss.
Here is how the team would line up in both of their absences: Leno; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Smith Rowe, Odegaard, Saka; Lacazette.
That isn’t to say that others wouldn’t be a huge miss if they were also not available for the match. Gabriel is a huge part of the partnership at the back with White, while the likes of Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka have been driving the side forward in recent weeks.
That is very much the worst case scenario though, with hopes that they all return for a huge set of fixtures to come. Given the lack of squad depth in areas at Arsenal, Arteta will also be hoping he doesn’t have to make too many changes after the break.
