International Break Lull – Arsenal Eyes Worldwide - Injuries Thoughts & More

Gyökeres Watch: Sweden Slip Up Late

Holla Gooners, the international break is here, with Arsenal players at their national teams in action pitchside. I know we all miss our weekly dose of club football, but it can be a blessing when you take a chill pill to relax from EPL rush, its healthy kindaa .........NO its not!! Okay, Okay, I get it, #bringbackEPL! But hey, international duty gives us a glimpse of our Arsenal boys (and girls!) on the world stage, and that’s always worth watching init?

Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres featured for Sweden as they drew 2-2 with Slovenia, conceding in the dying minutes — a frustrating result for the Swedes I must say. Conceding a goal in what may have been the last kick of the game (Benjamin Sesko did really well with the hold up play for the assist). They’ll be looking to bounce back later today when they face Kosovo. One would expect Gyökeres and or Isak to be central to any attacking success. I would like to see Mikel take some notes on how to get Gyok-9 firing for us to major honors, the guy has it, now Mikel find a way to unlock it.

---

Spanish Masterclass: Zubimendi & Merino Run the Show

Merino Stars: Hits A Trick For Spain

Now to the main attraction over this brealk, cue in the Spanish Armada! Spain looked absolutely electric during this break, and Arsenal targets (or wishlist favorites) Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino were right at the heart of it.

• Spain 3-0 Bulgaria: Merino scored, Zubimendi bagged an assist — dominant and composed.

• Spain 6-0 Turkey: A total demolition job, and the highlight of the break. Merino grabbed a hat trick, with goals 2 and 3 being pure class — think Berbatov-esque levels of finesse. If you missed it, go back and watch the replay — footballing art.

With performances like these, Spain are definitely looking like early favorites for the next major tournament except of course we jinxed it with that tag, did you notice I mentioned nothing of Lamine Yamal or Nico Willy?? Merino's performances for spain in the box to box attacking role kind of puts how Mikel Arteta uses him at Arsenal under the lens. Could we get a more consistent offensive tune out of him in the middle of the park. Mikel Arteta bore so much unfair criticism for his approach to the liverpool game at Anfield. While I understand the question marks raised seeing  a starting  midfield trio of Merino, Zubimendi and Rice against Liverpool. We must all agree that it did work for the better part of the game, with us more in control and looking the more threathening. We cant deny that, the issue was reacting late to the change in tide and thats my own critique of Arteta, he can be very set in his ways and likes to double down on his convictions, which to be fair, is necessary for a winner but one must also be a bit flexible. I would caveat the raised concern by puting into perspective, Merino's role as a Center forward last season where he bagged 9 goals. That was Mikel Arteta's stroke of genius

---

Three Lions: Routine Win, Still Missing Sparks???

England cruised to a comfortable win over Andorra, with Arsenal's Declan Rice on the scoresheet and Noni Madueke providing that much-needed flair, no one else did much to get us excited. Eberechi Eze had moments in fits, showing flashes of brilliance, but we’re still waiting for that full breakout display. Unfortunately, Bukayo Saka remains sidelined with injury and is expected to miss the next match — a tougher test awaits against Slovenia. Thomas Tuchel has to get the lads playing some exciting football with the talent at his disposal. One could argue that the English team isnt at par with some of the best like Spain or France but, they do have the tools to put any team away so expectations continue to remain high.

---

Arsenal Women: Off to a Flying Start

The Arsenal Women kicked off their 2025/26 league campaign in style, thrashing London City Lionesses 4-1. Our Canadian record signing, Olivia Smith, wasted no time in making an impact — scoring the equalizer to level things at 1-1 before the team turned on the style and blitzed the opposition.

A perfect way to begin the new season for the reigning Women’s European champions, now lets hope they can consistently stay at those high levels of focus to wrestle the WSL title from the west london team in Chelsea women. London deserves the finest as league title champions and its the Arsenal Ladies Please....Thank you(insert smiley)

---

Squad Depth & Games Incoming

Back to the Men's game, loads od banter on social media post Liverpool match and a lot of it was just way off the mark about how Arteta sets the team up for the top 6 clashes especially away from home, even former Man United Keeper made a bold claim that our football was ugly. The other day it was Tony Adams knocking Odegard's selection as Captain, wanting Rice to be given the mantle, All I see is an English bias. Honestly, I hate to challenge one of these footballing greats cuz they have been there and done that so yeah, maybe they have earned the right to say their piece but are they always right? Thats the question, they are not, I respect them and cherish the memories they have giving folks like us priviledged to have watched them in their hay, but I disagree with them in times like these. Shikena! 

Arsenal Squad Depth 2025/26

Lets move on the injuries and Squad depth, William Saliba looks to have joined our long hopefull no more growing list of injured players, its purported to be 3-4 week of being on the sideline. These Injuries are annoying but the bright side is, Arsenal now have a deep squad that so far can  handle the absences. One prays it gets better from here. Mosquera showed he could mix it at the high level, he is still new but he has shown good acquittal to far, long may it continue. Looking at the squad arsenal have as the games begin to come in thick and fast, with Champions league and Carling cup games coming into the mix, we not only added bodies we added quality, thankfully. Liverpool are still the favorites to win the league, if you look 'only' at just their front line, in midfield and defence however, they may be one body short off the bench. The gunners on the other hand (no biases here) appear to have a more balance mix of needle movers and quality squad players, add a stingy defence to this and Mikel has the recipe for Title winning cooking, if he uses his squad right (lets hope he does). Heres is hoping the lads come back from their national duties injury free. Ok guys, thats it from us over here at #Anaijagunner on twitter, do like the post, share it and let us know your thoughs, is the squad deep enough or still lacking in areas like.....?  Comment down below on that, until the next post, from us over here its.......Ciao.