Arsenal star withdraws from international duty to provide Mikel Arteta major top-four race boost

Here we are again, without Premier League football for two weeks due to an international break and we are only on day two! With Arsenal sitting fourth and in decent form, you just want that momentum to continue without any distractions in between when the confidence is high.

On top of that, there's the worry of injuries being sustained to key members of the squad as we head into a vital stage of the season. Mikel Arteta confirmed prior to the Aston Villa clash that goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is already out for a few weeks due to a hip injury.

He was set to join up with Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe at the Three Lions camp, who are all flourishing this season. In total, 13 players from the current first-team squad are set to represent their respective countries over the next few days.

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As well as the aforementioned names, this includes Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka, Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey.

However, another player that is set to drop out is Gabriel Magalhaes. The 24-year-old received a Brazil call up but has been given permission to withdraw due to the imminent arrival of his baby daughter.

The Evening Standard reports that Gabriel spoke with Brazil’s team coordinator before the decision was made that it was best for the defender to stay at home in the UK.

First of all, we of course pass on our best wishes to him and his fiancé during what is an exciting time for them. But this will also be a welcome development for Arteta who will want his players returning to London Colney injury-free.

Gabriel