That's it, the first international break of the year is over and attentions now turns towards the business end of the season with Arsenal, in particular, on course for Premier League glory.
After seeing his side record a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace almost a fortnight ago to open up an eight-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table - albeit having played a game more than the defending champions - Gunners manager Mikel Arteta's revealed the dream scenario for the 14 senior players selected by their respective nations.
"That they [the international players] really look after themselves in this period," he told reporters. "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."
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Despite a few scares involving Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney, it looks like it has been the perfect international break for Arsenal and Arteta. In fact, the only way it can be topped is if William Saliba and Eddie Nketiah recover from back and ankle injuries, respectively, before the weekend.
Now, should the defender, who missed the win over Palace and subsequently withdrew from the France squad, prove his fitness ahead of the Leeds United clash on Saturday afternoon, then the Gunners boss could find himself in a position where he can name what many consider to be his strongest starting line-up.
Over the course of the Premier League season, it has become apparent as to which players Arteta relies upon when fit and available for selection and with '10 cup finals' remaining it's safe to predict the Arsenal team for each of those games - on the condition that there are no fresh injury concerns in the next two months.
Ultimately, though, if the north London outfit are to get over the line and be crowned champions of England for the first time since 2004, the Spaniard will almost certainly need to make full use of his squad and turn to what he likes to call "impacters" off the bench at certain points in the run-in.
"It's something that we wanted to change and I discussed it with a few people and we wanted to find something that is particular for us," he said, as per the Evening Standard, ahead of the Europa League round of 16 second leg tie against Sporting CP earlier in the month.
"I think it was the best way to express how we feel about them and how they have to feel towards the team, especially on match day. I think it’s very difficult [to measure the difference it makes]. I think it is replacing somebody and making the team better, or doing things differently that are related to winning football matches and at the end your mentality should be only that, to impact the game to win it. That’s it, nothing else.
"I cannot measure that [difference]. I have to get into their brains, so far we don’t have anything like it. I think the way we describe it is more like we want it. If you repeat it more and more and more and you discuss it more and more and more, it will be closer to that and just being a sub."
This year alone, Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson have made huge impacts off the bench and Nketiah proved his worth as the central striker during Gabriel Jesus' three-month spell on the sidelines.
Whilst the aforementioned trio are seemingly ready to answer the call, whether that be as a starter or as an "impacter", there are other members of the Arsenal first-team squad - who have more or less been on the fringes this season - who can have a major part to play in the run-in and football.london assesses them below.
Rob Holding
If Saliba doesn't recover from a back injury within the next week or so, then there's every chance Rob Holding will start against Leeds and then away at Liverpool. After what happened towards the end of last season in the north London derby, the defender perhaps has a point to prove that he can keep his cool in a big game.
With that said, Holding could feature heavily in the run-in regardless of if, or when, the Frenchman does reclaim his place as Benjamin White's minutes will need to be managed carefully now that Takehiro Tomiyasu is out for the season, not to mention the Gunners' No.16 might be required to help see out a lead or two.
Kieran Tierney
Since arriving from Manchester City last summer Oleksandr Zinchenko has usurped Kieran Tierney as Arsenal's first-choice left-back when available for selection. So much so that Arteta has admitted to speaking with the latter about his reduced game time this season.
"Very good because we talked and we discussed the situation and we had a very similar opinion about that", the Gunners boss told football.london when asked. "He knows his role – under me he’s played a lot, more than any other player probably compared to the previous players at the club in the last three years and he understands the situation and he needs to challenge the situation."
As shown with the assist against Palace before the international break and the performance for Scotland against Spain, Tierney still has a lot to offer between now and the end of the season.
Jorginho
The £12m arrival from Chelsea in the January transfer window has already played a significant part in keeping Arsenal's title bid on track as who knows just how crucial his strike which led to Emiliano Martinez scoring an own goal in the 4-2 win over Aston Villa will prove to be.
Signed as a back-up for Thomas Partey, the Italy international hasn't started a Premier League game since coming off at half-time in the win over Everton but could see his playing time increase during the final 10 games, especially with Partey being trialled at right-back against Crystal Palace and his experience could be vital in getting over the line.
Emile Smith Rowe
Arsenal's second-highest scorer across all competitions last season has endured a frustrating 2022/23 campaign thus far because of injuries. But after being set a challenge by Arteta, Emile Smith Rowe is determined to play his part in the Premier League title race.
"I’m really desperate to be honest," he said whilst on international duty with England U21s. "The team are doing really well and it’s obviously something I want to be a part of. I’m working hard every day. Coming away with England is minutes that I really need. I’ve been struggling with this injury since I was 18 or 19, just before I went on loan to RB Leipzig.
"I was quite low at the beginning. I’ve never had surgery before. It’s been tough, but I’m glad it’s all sorted now. I don’t feel any pain. I just need to kick on."
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