International breaks are rarely greeted with open arms by fans missing out on their Arsenal fix – but for football buffs, this week has some tasty hookups with 14 of the club’s players to watch. Find out more with Rosie Tudball’s comprehensive round-up.
Arsenal youngster Reiss Nelson shared his excitement on his Instagram after scoring two goals for England’s U19 team. Credit Reiss Nelson Instagram
– Credit: Archant
The English U-19s continue their European Championship season after their opening win over Hungary on Wednesday in Macedonia during the elite round qualification.
Three Gunners were in Paul Simpson’s squad, with striker Reiss Nelson bagging a brace alongside top scorer Eddie Nketiah and midfielder Joe Willock, who also started the game.
Nelson tweeted after the game: “Good start to the international break with two goals”.
The U19s must lead their group to reach the European Championship finals in Finland this summer, with two games remaining against Latvia on Friday and Macedonia on Tuesday.
Jack Wilshere was expelled from Holland against England. Image: PA
– Credit: PA Archives / PA Pictures
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All three top-class starlets have made an impression on Arsenal’s senior team since the start of the season, as they also want to leave their mark on the U19s.
The Young Lions reached the elite round in November with a victory over the Faroe Islands, Bulgaria and Iceland. England won the European Championship last summer and will be looking to expand their collection this year – should they lead the group.
With the World Cup successes of the English youth teams at U17 and U20 level last summer, their triumphs will surely inspire the talented U19 team.
Mohamed Elneny plays for Egypt against Portugal on Friday. Photo credit: Mohamed Elneny Instagram
– Credit: Archant
First team
Outside of the EM youth, 11 high-ranking members of the squad will compete in the test weeks.
Vice-captain Laurent Koscielny will play against Colombia against David Ospina in Paris on Friday.
Granit Xhaka prepares for Switzerland’s game against Greece and Panama. @granitxhaka Instagram
– Credit: Archant
The England camp is in Amsterdam to play against the Netherlands on Friday night.
Danny Welbeck could be there, however, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate confirmed midfielder Jack Wilshere has been banned from the game at the AmsterdamArena with a knee injury – although the former Middlesbrough manager said the 26-year-old could be at Wembley on Tuesday play against Italy.
Mohamed Elneny will be relieved not to see Mohammed Salah as an opposition member in the international service. The Egyptian is in Switzerland ahead of Egypt’s friendly matches against Greece on Friday and Portugal on Tuesday.
World champions Mesut Özil and Shkodran Mustafi are facing two exciting warm-up games before the World Cup.
Mesut Özil is looking forward to playing for Germany. Instagram @ m10_official
– Credit: Archant
The duo will stay in Germany for both games and will host Spain in Düsseldorf on Friday and Brazil in Berlin on Tuesday.
Germany’s games will be a good preparation for their mission to keep the title in Russia. Mesut Özil posts on Instagram: “We are ready and we want to win the title again!”
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, named Armenian Player of the Year this morning, will not play like the others on Friday. Armenia’s game against Estonia is scheduled for Saturday.
Granit Xhaka will host Switzerland on Friday in Thessalonki as Greece. The national team will then return to Switzerland on Tuesday to play against Panama. He announced his return to the national team on Instagram.
Alex Iwobi is hoping for another successful international break. The young striker will be in Wroclaw, where Nigeria will play Poland, on Friday before joining Barnet on Tuesday when visiting Serbia.
Sead Kolasinac is in Razgrad when Bosnia and Herzegovina face Bulgaria on Friday. The German-born defender will face Senegal in Le Havre on Tuesday.
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