ARSENAL WINNERS AND LOSERS FROM INTERNATIONAL BREAK AS FATES OF GUNNERS DUO POLES APART

At face value, Arsenal came out of the international break smelling of roses ahead of their title showdown at Manchester City.

No fresh injuries, a midfield kingpin walking 10ft tall after being handed the England captain’s armband and rivals ostensibly hit by two key players shuffling off early in the Three Lions’ friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. But who played the system like a golden harp and who will have the last laugh?

To win their first Premier League crown in 20 years, most observers agree the Gunners cannot afford to lose at the Etihad, where they have won just once since 2008. So as his troops reassemble for the last 10 games of the campaign, from back to front Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta cannot complain at the outcome of the last hiatus in the domestic season.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is not going to shift David Raya as the Gunners’ No.1 keeper, and may have to move on this summer to get regular first-team football, yet his England prospects have been enhanced in the last fortnight without playing a single minute.

Sam Johnstone, who was emerging as the likeliest understudy to Jordan Pickford as England keeper, has had surgery on his elbow which will keep him out for the rest of the season and into the summer. Ramsdale’s place in the Euro 2024 squad is now secure.

Gabriel pulled out of Brazil’s squad due to a fitness issue, but he is expected to resume his double act with William Saliba against City as Arsenal protect the best defensive record in the division. Ben White ’s international prospects look slim for the foreseeable future after he declined his invitation to join the Three Lions’ March camp - but that means he can focus on all things Arsenal.

Team-mate Declan Rice says he will ask White to rethink his decision to turn his back on England, but there is no chance of a U-turn before the Euros. As for Rice himself, his stock has never been higher - and his fitness is standing up to an exceptional workload.

He played 64 games for club and country in 2022-23, including the World Cup, and he’s up to 46 games already this term - with a possible 15 remaining games for the Gunners on the title run-in and in the Champions League alone.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, back to his best club form after a nagging hip injury in mid-season, featured in both Norway’s games against the Czech Republic and Slovakia during the International break. He took his place in a side including Erling Harland and Oscar Bobb, who will be in the rivals’ camp on Easter Day.

And all eyes will be on Arsenal’s teamsheet at the Etihad to see if it includes Bukayo Saka, the most-fouled player in the Premier League this season, after he reported for England duty carrying a “slight muscle problem” and withdrew from the squad last Friday.

Saka missed the Gunners’ 1-0 win against City, thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s late, deflected strike, last October, but Arteta will be desperate to have a full deck of cards at his disposal as he seeks to complete a home-and-away double against his old mentor Pep Guardiola.

It will be Arteta’s most important roll call of the season.

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2024-03-29T07:11:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd