Arsenal fans have kept an eye on as many as 17 Gunners players in the recently concluded (with the exception of the ongoing Gold Cup) international break.
From the Nations League to the Gold Cup, Arsenal players have been in action across the globe. Here is a comprehensive round-up:
Sabrina D’Angelo and Cloé Lacasse- Canada
Bev Priestman’s Canada have bounced back from a disappointing World Cup campaign by picking up maximum points from their Gold Cup group stage. The Arsenal duo of D’Angelo and Lacasse both started Canada’s opening match, with Lacasse notching three assists after opening the scoring in a 6-0 win over the Dominican Republic- a stunning performance from the winger. D’Angelo, despite the clean sheet, has watched Canada’s remaining group games from the bench.
Cloé Lacasse is awarded player of the match in Canada's 6-0 win over El Salvador. The Arsenal player was involved in the opening goal only 142 seconds in, followed up by three assists. ? CONCACAF pic.twitter.com/3MxsmSIUJ9
— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) February 23, 2024
Emily Fox- USA
January signing Fox has already established herself as one of the first names on the Arsenal teamsheet, but that feat is not as easy to achieve when playing for the USWNT. Fox was a second-half substitute in the US’ first two group games, before starting in a shock 2-0 defeat to Mexico, in which she was replaced with 19 minutes remaining. If the USA and Canada both win their quarter-final ties, they will meet in the semis.
Laia Codina- Spain
It has been a good month for Laia Codina, who performed well in Arsenal’s win over Manchester United in the final game before the international break, before helping Spain win the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League. Codina played every minute of Spain’s semi-final and final, as her side beat the Netherlands and then France to claim the silverware.
Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord- Australia
The Matildas brushed aside Uzbekistan over two legs to secure qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games. Foord found the net in the first game, a 3-0 win for Australia, coming off the bench in the second half. Tony Gustavsson’s side hit ten goals in the home leg, with another one coming from Foord. Kyra Cooney-Cross and Steph Catley started both games, with the latter picking up an assist in Melbourne.
Vivianne Miedema and Victoria Pelova- Netherlands
The Netherlands’ hopes of winning the Nations League were ended by a 3-0 defeat to Codina’s Spain. Miedema started upfront, but Pelova did not make the squad, and neither player featured in the following loss to Germany. Both left the national squad ahead of the third-place play-off against Germany, and returned to Arsenal- head coach Andries Jonker said: "It became clear they wouldn’t be recovered in time for the next match. There’s no use in keeping players. Arsenal asked us to send them back if they wouldn’t play.” The defeat to Germany means that the Dutch failed to qualify for the Olympics.
Beth Mead, Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy- England
Leah Williamson may have withdrawn from the England squad with a hamstring injury, but Arsenal’s Lionesses should all return to North London in high spirits after friendly wins over Austria and Italy. Mead and Russo both scored braces against Austria, with Russo also picking up a rather fortunate assist. In the second friendly, Lotte Wubben-Moy earned a rare start for the Lionesses, and opened the scoring in the first minute with a header. Russo played the first half in the 5-1 win over Italy, but Mead was an unused substitute.
Alessia Russo ‘assists’ Beth Mead pic.twitter.com/K2aHsi3IYL
— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) February 23, 2024
Manu Zinsberger- Austria
England hit seven against Austria in the south of Spain, meaning that it was something of a night to forget for Zinsberger between the sticks. The goalkeeper parried Mead’s early shot and Russo was there to convert the rebound- an all-Arsenal goal in some ways. Zinsberger did not play against Denmark in the following match, which involved Everton’s Arsenal loanee Kathrine Kuhl.
The perfect start for the #Lionesses ??Russo reacts first to the goalkeeper's mistake and England have opened the scoring inside three minutes#ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/AETRlkHtkJ
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 23, 2024
Katie McCabe- Republic of Ireland
Ireland travelled to Italy to play out a 0-0 draw against Le Azzurre, before returning to Dublin and taking on Wales in another friendly. Captain McCabe started both games, but was withdrawn in the loss against Wales due to a quad strain in the 73rd minute.
Stina Blackstenius- Sweden
Amanda Ilestedt (illness) and Lina Hurtig (injury) did not join up with the Sweden squad in the international break, meaning that Stina Blackstenius was the only Arsenal representative in two 5-0 Nations League wins against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Blackstenius started both matches, finding the net on home soil with a calm finish into the bottom corner.
Who else but Stina Blackstenius? ? pic.twitter.com/nnvaEAjQq0
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) February 28, 2024
Frida Maanum- Norway
Norway were also in Nations League action, winning 3-0 and 5-0 against Croatia. Maanum started the first match before coming off the bench to score a free-kick and then a superb solo goal in the second. See it for yourself here:
OH MY DAYS FRIDA WHAT A GOAL pic.twitter.com/SJ3Mad7HBG
— Laura Veen Comps Specialist (@veencomps) February 27, 2024
Lia Walti- Switzerland
Switzerland took on Poland in two friendlies, and Walti returned to the side for the second game after missing their 4-1 win due to injury. The Swiss captain played all of the 2-0 defeat in Marbella.