The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the Arsenal players fared over the course of the last two weeks, following the end of the international break.
The international break is no good news for club football fans, but with players from their respective outfits representing their national sides, there was something to look forward to. More than ten players from Arsenal featured at different levels, with some tasting success, and some experiencing the lows.
The Hard Tackle takes a look at Arsenal players and how they fared for their national sides during the latest round of international fixtures.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos: 6
Only a few Arsenal defenders featured for their nations during the first international break of the season, and Sokratis was one of them. The experienced defender starred in Greece’s narrow victory over Estonia and in the defeat against Hungary playing the whole 90 minutes on both occasions.
Stephan Lichtsteiner: 6
Stephan Lichtsteiner did not feature in Switzerland’s 6-0 thumping of Iceland but did play against England, which unfortunately the Swiss lost. The veteran put in a professional display against the Three Lions, although he still ended up on the wrong end of the result.
Mohamed Elneny: 7
Elneny was called up to the Egypt side to face Niger in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, where the midfielder was on the scoresheet, helping his team to a 6-0 win.
Granit Xhaka: 6
Xhaka, like compatriot Lichtsteiner, was called up to the Switzerland National Side and was named the captain of the side for these encounters. The midfielder did not score or assist in the 6-0 mauling of Iceland. But, he did provide some strong performances in midfield controlling the games from the centre of the pitch in both games.
Aaron Ramsey: 7
Ramsey played both of Wales’ UEFA Nations League games. In Wales’ first game against the Republic of Ireland, Ramsey was on the scoresheet. But, he failed to inspire his side as Ryan Giggs’ men were defeated quite comprehensively by Denmark thanks to a double from Tottenham midfielder, Christian Eriksen.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 6
Mkhitaryan played both of Armenia’s UEFA Nations League games, first against Liechtenstein where his team won 2-1, and then during their loss to Macedonia. In both games, Mkhitaryan started as Armenia’s central striker and not in his usual attacking midfield position, although he didn’t score or assist in either of these games.
Lucas Torreira: 5
Lucas Torreira, fresh from his delightful displays for Uruguay at the World Cup was called up for the friendly against Mexico. The youngster, however, only featured for the first 45 minutes of the game and was substituted. Arsenal fans were initially worried that it might be due to an injury, but those fears were calmed when Uruguay manager Fabian Coito suggested it was only precautionary.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 7
Another one of Arsenal stars on the scoresheet. Aubameyang found the back of the net as Gabon defeated Burundi in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Aubameyang did not start for Gabon’s second game which was a friendly and duly returned back early to Arsenal.
Danny Welbeck: 6
Welbeck was selected by Gareth Southgate for England’s latest international fixtures. Against Spain, he came on as a second-half stoppage time substitute for England goalscorer, Marcus Rashford before starting the game against Switzerland, against whom he featured for an hour. Welbeck did not score or assist in either game.
