The run-in to Arsenal’s 2025/26 season is fast approaching, although Mikel Arteta’s players first have to navigate an international break before resuming their pursuit of the Premier League title.
The Gunners sit nine points clear of second-placed Manchester City in the English top flight, although Pep Guardiola’s team still have a game in hand. Thus, the title race is far from settled, and Arteta will be desperate for his international players to return to London Colney without injury.
The Spanish manager has clearly already taken measures to ensure his players are ready and unscathed ahead of the run-in. Eberechi Eze has withdrawn from the England squad due to a calf problem, and the creative midfielder joins the likes of Leandro Trossard, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber in opting not to join up with their nations due to fitness issues.
It’s certainly possible that Arsenal have negotiated with a number of these players’ national teams, asking them to take precautions before such a crucial run of fixtures. Given most countries are merely playing friendlies over the next ten days, this would be a reasonable stance for the Gunners to take.
With that said, here’s a look at the Arsenal players who are on international duty this month.
England – Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Noni Madueke
While Eze won’t be training at St. James’ Park this week, several other Arsenal players will be. Ben White has been called up for the first time since 2022 following an injury to Jarrel Quansah, while Maduke is expected to be a part of Thomas Tuchel’s camp despite leaving Wembley on Sunday with strapping on his wrist.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will join up with the England squad later this week, with the two players granted extra rest, having played significant minutes for Arsenal in recent months.
England will play friendlies at Wembley against Uruguay and Japan, and thus, Arteta will hope his key players aren’t risked.
- 27/03/2026 – England vs Uruguay
- 31/03/2026 – England vs Japan
Spain – David Raya, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi
While Mikel Merino misses out on the Spain squad due to injury, Cristhian Mosquera has earned his first call-up to the senior side. It had been reported that the centre-back was considering declaring for Colombia, which he’s eligible to do through his parents’ heritage, but this inaugural call-up could put an end to that.
David Raya and Martin Zubimendi are also involved, as expected, with the Euro 2024 winners set to face Serbia and Egypt in friendlies on home soil.
- 27/03/2026 – Spain vs Serbia
- 31/03/2026 – Spain vs Egypt
Italy – Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori has reportedly been feeling pain in his knee since the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Had Italy been set to play friendlies over the international break, the left-back may well have joined the group of Arsenal players staying at London Colney.
Gabriel has withdrawn from the Brazil squad due to right knee pain. Since the EFL Cup final he, Saliba, Timber, Eze and Trossard have withdrawn from pre-tournament international friendlies.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) March 23, 2026
Calafiori didn't train today due to pain but more likely to be involved in WC playoff.
However, Gli Azzuri have crucial World Cup qualification play-off matches to take part in, and thus, Calafiori may be risked. Gennaro Gattuso’s side face Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday. If they overcome the British team, they’ll then play the winners of Wales against Bosnia and Herzegovina, either in Cardiff or Zenica.
- 26/03/2026 – Italy vs Northern Ireland
- 31/03/2026 – Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy
Ecuador – Piero Hincapie
Piero Hincapie has already made 50 caps for Ecuador, despite only turning 24 in January, and thus, is clearly a pivotal figure for the South American nation. Given this is the last time they’ll meet before the World Cup, the Arsenal defender is likely to play in both friendlies as Sebastian Beccacece looks to enhance his team’s chemistry.
The redeeming aspect for Arteta is that Hincapie won’t be travelling to a different continent, with Ecuador set to play games in Madrid and Eindhoven.
- 27/03/2026 – Morocco vs Ecuador
- 31/03/2026 – Netherlands vs Ecuador
Denmark – Christian Norgaard
Like Calafiori, Christian Norgaard is set to feature in World Cup qualification play-off matches for his country. Denmark entertain North Macedonia in the semi-final in Copenhagen, before a potential play-off final against Czech Republic or Ireland in Prague or Dublin.
Unlike Calafiori, minutes for Norgaard across these two games could actually be beneficial, as he’s hardly featured for Arsenal all season.
- 26/03/2026 – Denmark vs North Macedonia
- 31/03/2026 – Czech Republic/Ireland vs Denmark
Brazil – Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel may have pulled out of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for friendlies against France and Croatia, but Gabriel Martinelli will still be involved for the South American giants.
Unlike Ecuador, Brazil’s World Cup preparation camp will take place outside of Europe. Ancelotti’s team travel to the United States for their two friendlies.
Gabriel Jesus has not received a call-up from Ancelotti.
- 26/03/2026 – Brazil vs France
- 31/03/2026 – Brazil vs Croatia
Sweden – Viktor Gyokeres
Like Italy and Denmark, Sweden’s World Cup qualification is in the balance. The Scandinavian nation face Ukraine in the play-off semi-final in Valencia, with the winners of Poland against Albania awaiting them in a potential final.
Viktor Gyokeres has been included in Graham Potter’s squad for these crucial ties, and the Arsenal striker is expected to lead the line in the absence of the injured Alexander Isak.
- 26/03/2026 – Ukraine vs Sweden
- 31/03/2026 – Sweden vs Poland/Albania
Germany – Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz will make his long-awaited return to international football this month. Germany play friendlies against Switzerland in Basel and Ghana in Stuttgart, and minutes in these games could be crucial for the Arsenal forward rediscovering his match sharpness.
- 27/03/2026 – Switzerland vs Germany
- 30/03/2026 – Germany vs Ghana
England U21 – Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tommy Setford
Myles Lewis-Skelly was left out of England’s senior squad by Tuchel. However, the left-back, who has been linked with a surprise move to Manchester United this week, has earned his first Three Lions under-21 call-up.
Lee Carsley’s side take on Andorra and Moldova in Under-21 European Championship 2027 qualifying matches. Tommy Setford and Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri are also in the squad.
- 27/03/2026 – Andorra U21 vs England U21
- 31/03/2026 – Engalnd U21 vs Moldova U21
England U19 – Max Dowman
Tuchel spoke about Max Dowman’s potential future involvement in the England first team earlier this week. However, the German ultimately wasn’t tempted to name the 16-year-old in his squad for this particular set of fixtures.
Instead, Dowman assumes his role in the Three Lions’ under-19 set-up for the time being. Young Arsenal goalkeeper Khari Ranson has also made the cut.
- 25/03/2026 – England U19 vs Serbia U19
- 28/03/2026 – England U19 vs Poland U19
- 31/03/2026 – Portugal U19 vs England U19
