Morning guys.
This new three week international break format was meant to help players but in all honesty, it’s kind of backfired on all but the international scene. European footballers have suffered injuries, perhaps more than ever before although I cannot be bothered to see if the facts support my theory. From an Arsenal perspective, Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis and yesterday, Ezri Konsa, have all returned to Arsenal because of injury. Three players crucial to Mikel Arteta’s team selection so far this season.
Viktor Gyokeres played his fourth game in three weeks last night which might not necessarily be a bad thing as he’s not exactly played much football for Arsenal so these games will have done his match fitness the world of good. But will he return knackered? Hopefully not…
Four games in three weeks so soon after a World Cup is really not thinking about players welfare is it? Nor is it thinking about domestic football clubs who a) pay the players wages and b) have managers who are under enormous pressure to do well at their respective clubs. It’s hard enough for them dealing with injuries throughout a domestic campaign let alone all the additional ones suffered whilst playing international football. There will always be international fixtures, of course there will be otherwise no country would be prepared for the Euros or World Cup but why not just play one fixture every 4/5 weeks so just one weekend is affected each time. Also, why not increase the number of substitutions international managers can make too, wouldn’t that show football cares about footballers welfare?
I know there will always be a temptation to suggest players need to just get on with it because they are paid well but no amount of money can buy perfect health and fitness. If only it did eh..
What about the fans who pay extortionate amounts of money on season tickets, match day tickets and all which goes with it, especially travel costs in this day and age? Don’t they/we deserve to see our club players in the best physical condition possible?
As I said earlier, it’s not just Arsenal who have suffered injuries during this break. Alex Scott played 70 minutes for England a couple of days ago and now he’s rumoured to be missing for Bournemouth for 6-8 weeks. Erling Haaland limped out of Norway’s last match and before then, Nico O’Rielly had already left the England camp. Liverpool’s Gakpo and Isak suffered injuries and despite being in pain, allegedly, Fernandes has played on for his country. Sunderland’s Ballard and Brobbey have picked up hamstring injuries. I’m pretty sure the list doesn’t end there…
I know this extended break has led to more lower league club fixtures have been shown on television which is great for them financially but surely in this day and age, access to these matches should be available anyway. Same with the women’s game because believe it or not, fans want to watch them. Many of us pay hefty fees for broadcasting subscriptions so why aren’t we able to watch more football? I digress..
Last night’s fixtures saw Italy beat Turkey 3-1 with Riccardo Calafiori coming on in the second half to score Italy’s second goal. Viktor Gyokeres scored yet again for Sweden as they defeated Romania 1-0. Our striker has been in great form during this break and just two goals behind the top 10 scorers in Sweden’s history.
Tonight is about Arsenal’s English and Spanish players, all six of them. In an ideal scenario, none of them will play but we know that isn’t going to happen so the next best thing is none of them play 90 minutes.
Lastly, Arsenal announced yesterday that Myles Lewis-Skelly has been nominated for the 2026 Golden Boy Award after having a fantastic 2026 for both club and country. In my opinion, this is no more than he deserves, other than to actually win the award of course. He was brilliant for Arsenal towards the end of the season and played a big part in ensuring Arsenal lifted the Premier League. He was pretty good in the Champions League Final too wasn’t he, not to mention the Community Shield Final and his sublime pass to Riccardo Calafiori to open the scoring in the opening minute.
2026 Golden Boys nominees:
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona, Spain), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Manchester City, Morocco), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Yan Diomande (Real Madrid, Ivory Coast), Luka Vuskovic (Brighton & Hove Albion, Croatia), Victor Froholdt (Porto, Denmark), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal, England)Rayan (Bournemouth, Brazil), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea, Netherlands), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich, Germany), Estevao (Chelsea, Brazil), Endrick (Real Madrid, Brazil), Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth, France), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica, Argentina), Konstantinos Karetsas (Borussia Dortmund, Greece), Said El Mala (Cologne, Germany), Jon Martin (Real Sociedad, Spain), Marc Bernal (Barcelona, Spain), Kerim Alajbegovic (Juventus, Bosnia & Herzegovina), Finn Jeltsch (Stuttgart, Germany).
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Geoff, exactly.
Why Brazil travelled so far and wide for friendly fixtures is beyond me.
Morning Cicero, thanks.
I can too and who could blame the players?
Morning Rico and all,
Sometimes I think people forget that it’s not only 4 matches in 3 weeks there are other factors to consider (1) matches (2) training (3) traveling (4) putting more pressure on them self to play better for their country (4) missing family
Good morning Rico, a fine post thank you.
Four games in this Interlull, plus more in the November break will inevitably cause even more fixture congestion for the rest of the season.
I can foresee quite a few no shows when Tuchel names his squad for his next jamboree.
It is in addition to the domestic and European campaign. What about the travelling too, especially Brazil.
I think getting real is for you rather than me..
4 games in 3 weeks is hardly taxing. Get real.