International Break: How each Gunner got on

A number of Arsenal players were in action during the interlude, both at youth and senior level.

Photo by Denilo Vieira on Unsplash

Goalkeeper Bernd Leno was an unused substitute as Germany secured automatic qualification for EURO 2020 as Group C winners with comprehensive victories over Belarus and Northern Ireland, with former Gunner Serge Gnabry bagging a hat-trick in Frankfurt.

Lucas Torreira played 22 minutes as a substitute during Uruguay’s 2-1 victory over Hungary in Budapest, before completing 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw against Emi Martinez’s Argentina, who was an unused substitute for both of Argentina’s outings this international break. La Celeste had been leading 2-1 until a 92nd minute Lionel Messi penalty ensured that the spoils were shared.

Granit Xhaka’s Switzerland also obtained qualification for EURO 2020, with victories over Georgia and Gibraltar. The Arsenal man featured for 90 minutes in both games, scoring the 6th goal in the 6-1 win against Gibraltar with a composed finish into the bottom left corner of the net.

Matteo Guendouzi was called up for world champions France, replacing the injured Blaise Matuidi, however the 20-year-old did not appear in either of France’s wins against Moldova or Albania whereby top spot in Group H was achieved.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon sit second in Group D behind Gambia on goal difference after AFCON qualifiers against DR Congo and Angola. Les Panthères drew 0-0 against DR Congo in Kinshasa, and beat Angola 2-1 at Stade de Franceville, with Auba assisting St Etienne winger Denis Bouanga’s winning goal.

Gabriel Martinelli featured for Brazil U23’s fixture against the United States, playing 75 minutes in a 1-0 victory, courtesy of RB Leipzig attacker Matheus Cunha. The São Paulo born attacker featured for 66 minutes against bitter rivals Argentina, who triumphed 1-0 thanks to an early strike from Boca Juniors midfielder Nicolás Capaldo.

Nicolas Pépé won a penalty in Ivory Coast’s 1-0 victory against Niger, however, the resulting spot-kick was missed by ex-Bournemouth man Max Gradel. Franck Kessié of AC Milan scored The Elephants’ second penalty of the game to secure victory. Nico also featured for 90 minutes during a 2-1 loss to Ethiopia, which sees the Ivory Coast sit third in AFCON Qualifier Group K after 2 games.

Sead Kolašinac’s Bosnia and Herzegovina were beaten 3-0 by Italy in Zenica, thanks to goals from Francesco Acerbi, Lorenzo Insigne and Andrea Belotti who recorded Italy’s tenth win in a row as Mancini’s side topped group J. Seo was an unused substitute as Bosnia booked their place in the EURO 2020 playoffs with a 3-0 win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz.

Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock were in action for the Three Lions, as England U21 faced Albania in a EURO U21 Championship Qualifier. Willock played 65 minutes in the 3-0 win, before being replaced by Reiss Nelson who netted the third in stoppage time, to ensure England maintained their 100% record in Group Three. 4 days later Nelson featured for 28 minutes and Willock for 11 minutes in a 2-1 friendly defeat to the Netherlands, thanks to a stunning stoppage-time free-kick from ex-Man City youngster Javairo Dilrosun.

The Gunners are next in action at Emirates Stadium on Saturday 23/11 at 15:00.