Arsenal suffer double injury blow as international break woes mount

It has been another few days of mixed news for Arsenal over the international break.

Mikel Arteta would have been happy to see Christos Tzolis and Martin Odegaard involved in the goals for their countries last week, but that was overshadowed by a hamstring injury to Kai Havertz.

The Arsenal manager now has another injury scare on his mind, after Odegaard was seen limping out of the stadium following Norway's defeat to Portugal on Sunday night.

Odegaard admitted after the match that his ankle issue "definitely won't feel good tonight" but it is hoped that it will ease in the next few days.

Martin Odegaard snapped back at Bernardo Silva

X/TV2Direkte

"I don't know what he's doing. It doesn't belong on a football field," Odegaard told TV2.

"It's a shame that people do that, but that's life."

There was better news for Viktor Gyokeres, who scored the winner in Sweden's 2-1 win over Romania.

That is a welcome return to form for the striker and he is set to get more opportunities in the next three matches before he returns to Arsenal.

Alexander Isak has returned to Liverpool after picking up a thigh injury and so the onus is on Gyokeres to provide the goals for his country.

Riccardo Calafiori

AFP/Getty

Riccardo Calafiori played the full 90 minutes for Italy against Belgium and appeared to come through unscathed, while Jurrien Timber made his international return.

Timber's fitness is being carefully managed by the Netherlands, who are in contact with Arsenal's medical staff.

He was left out of the squad for the draw with Germany last week but he was named in the squad against Serbia on Sunday and came on for the final ten minutes.

Timber could play a more significant part against Greece on Thursday, which would likely mean going up against Christos Tzolis.

Tzolis scored last week in the win over Serbia and started again against Germany on Sunday, when Greece upset the odds to beat Jurgen Klopp's side 1-0.

There were plenty of Arsenal players in the squad for Spain's 3-2 win over England at Wembley on Saturday.

Ezri Konsa played for England against Spain but is now getting his fitness managed

Getty

Myles Lewis-Skelly started in midfield for England and drew praise from Thomas Tuchel for his display.

“He made an impression in club football and now through the week," Tuchel said.

"That’s why he got his start. No presents here for no one, also not on his birthday. It was his birthday today.

"He did very well for Arsenal in this position.  I think it suits him a bit better than left-back. He was just very good and had a good match today, so well done.

"Did everything that was needed. Good performance.”

Ezri Konsa and Bukayo Saka also started, though the defender is now a doubt for the Three Lions’s trip to Czech Republic after training alone on Monday, while Mikel Merino came on in the closing stages for Spain.

Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya were unused substitutes.