Mikel Arteta has a chance to gather his thoughts and plan for the run-in over the next two weeks, as the majority of his Arsenal squad jet off for international duty.
The Gunners’ chances of winning the Premier League are slim, as they sit 12 points behind Liverpool with nine games remaining, although they have a Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid to look forward to.
Arsenal have 14 players on international duty over the next two weeks, who will be embroiled in intense World Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, several other members of Arteta’s ensemble will spend the next two weeks at London Colney, resting and recuperating ahead of a crucial next few months.
With that said, here’s a look at every Arsenal player that didn’t get a call-up for their nations in March 2025.
Neto
Neto has made one appearance for Arsenal all season, and in a way, Arteta probably would’ve been hoping the Brazilian got a surprise call-up.
The 35-year-old looked rusty in his single outing for the Gunners, and some minutes over the international break would’ve helped to shake off some of this rust, just in case he’s needed at some point in the rest of this season.
However, the one-time capped Brazil international is nowhere near Dorival Junior’s set-up nowadays, with Alisson Becker the first-choice in between the sticks.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Takehiro Tomiyasu underwent knee surgery last month and is currently recovering from the operation.
Not expected back in action until later this year, the right-back is not involved with the Japanese national team this March.
Ben White
Ben White returned from injury in late February but has started just one game for Arsenal since then.
Thomas Tuchel revealed that White wants to play for England again, although the defender is keen to utilise this break to improve his fitness and ensure he’s fit and firing for the run-in.
This international break will be as important for the full-back as anyone in Arsenal’s squad.
Jorginho
Jorginho remains in contention for Italy every time an international break rolls around, but the midfielder was left out by Luciano Spalletti for this month’s World Cup qualifiers.
Despite not playing much for Arsenal in recent months, the 33-year-old could probably do with a break in the season, and can use this time to make sure he’s fully attuned with the minute details of Arteta’s system.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka is set to return from injury after the international break, having been out since early December with a hamstring issue.
The Englishman could return to full training as early as this week, with a few sessions with Arteta’s remaining senior and youth players potentially hugely beneficial for his recovery.
Arsenal’s talisman has about three weeks to make himself fit for the first leg of the Gunners’ tie with Real Madrid, and thus the next two will be pivotal for him.
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli was actually named in Dorival Junior’s initial squad shortlist for this international break, but the winger didn’t make the final cut.
It’s possible that Martinelli is in a similar boat to White, and requested not to be involved as he looks to build fitness after returning from injury.
However, it’s also plausible that the Brazilian didn’t make the squad because his form hasn’t quite been good enough, and because of the plethora of other attacking options at Dorival’s disposal.
Raheem Sterling
Sterling has been on a sharp decline at Arsenal and finds himself as far away from the England squad as he has been at any other stage of his career.
With the likes of Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen all available to Tuchel, it’s no surprise to see the Chelsea loanee excluded and left to his own devices at London Colney for the next two weeks.
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz is out for the season with a hamstring injury and may not even return to action before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
He continues his rehabilitation and is not part of the Germany squad.
Gabriel Jesus
Like Havertz, Gabriel Jesus is also sidelined for the season, and may not feature for some time as he recovers from an ACL tear.
This setback may unfortunately threaten his Brazil credentials in the future, at this stage of his career.
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