Whilst his Arsenal squad play across the world over the international break, Mikel Arteta will simply be hoping for the safe return of all his stars.
Arsenal famously lost Martin Odegaard during the last set of international fixtures, with their captain now afforded a much-needed rest this time around.
However, Arsenal still have several players away on international duty, ones who will be crucial to their attempts of reviving their title push in the weeks and months to come.
After 11 games played, Arsenal are fourth in the Premier League, a position which won’t satisfy Arteta by any means.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 28 | |
| 2 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 13 | 9 | 23 | |
| 3 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 19 | |
| 4 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 19 | |
| 5 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 19 | |
| 6 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 19 |
Jakub Kiwior found it ‘extremely difficult’ against Liverpool youngster Ben Doak
Jakub Kiwior is one of the Arsenal players away with their country right now, a defender who’s struggling for confidence in north London.
Despite a successful run in the team earlier this year, Kiwior is now right on the periphery of things under Arteta, a player who this fast-moving project has almost left behind.

READ MORE: Arsenal fans won’t believe where Mykhailo Mudryk could be heading on loan in January
That being said, Kiwior was up against Liverpool youngster Ben Doak when Poland lost to Scotland 2-1 on Monday evening, a duel that didn’t go in the Arsenal defender’s favour.
Currently on loan at Middlesbrough, Doak made it ‘extremely difficult’ for Kiwior according to Polish outlet TVP Sport, who handed Kiwior a 4/10 verdict for his display.
They wrote: “He had an extremely difficult life on the left side with Doak. Unfortunately, it was the young Scot who often came out on top in these duels – like in the goal for 0:1, when he was clearly late.
“He also often had problems with good positioning, but unlike Walukiewicz, he got his revenge with several important interventions.”
Fortunately, the Arsenal defender seemed to rescue his performance somewhat, but Polish media were still seriously disappointed with Kiwior on the whole.
Jakub Kiwior could leave Arsenal in January
Of course, Arsenal are willing to sell Kiwior in January, although his exit could depend on the situation of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
It currently seems very unlikely that both would leave in the same window, a move that could leave Arteta short of options at the back.
That being said, Riccardo Calafiori did effectively replace Kiwior in the summer, a player with a similar positional profile and a much higher ceiling.
A tough period for Kiwior at the Emirates Stadium, and it’s hard to imagine that the 24-year-old has any kind long-term future at Arsenal.
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