Arsenal Beat Norwich City In International Break Friendly

Arsenal came out winners as they faced a Norwich City academy side during the international break, ahead of their return to competitive action this weekend.

The perfect start to the season was ended by a shock defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion, which saw the Gunners lose by a margin of three goals in any competition for the first time since their title ambitions were destroyed by the Seagulls in 2023.

Mikel Arteta’s side began their title defence in spectacular fashion, beating Manchester City comprehensively in the Community Shield before winning four Premier League games, overcoming Napoli in the UEFA Champions League and emerging victorious in a six-goal thriller at Ipswich in the Carabao Cup.

However, the Gunners were halted by two long-range strikes and a goal from a corner at the American Express Stadium last month, and entered the international break in second place behind a flawless Manchester City in the league under Enzo Maresca.

The club had fifteen players represent their country at a senior level in the last month, including Viktor Gyökeres, who became the first player in UEFA Nations League history to score in seven consecutive matches.

Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino both scored twice in Croatia for England and Spain respectively, with Merino’s late winner sealing a 2-1 victory to keep Spain top of League A, Group 3.

Piero Hincapié, Ben White, William Saliba and Declan Rice were all unable to join their respective national team camps due to injury, and the treatment room in north London grew with Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis, Max Dowman and Ezri Konsa all facing battles for fitness away on duty.

It is not thought that any of the injuries are serious, though various reports have revealed that Tzolis is expected to miss the next two to three weeks with a hamstring injury he sustained in the first-half against the Netherlands. 

Back in north London, Arteta has continued work in a bid to retain the Premier League title for the first time in Arsenal's history. 

According to The Telegraph's Sam Dean, Arsenal won against a Norwich City under-21 side in a friendly earlier in the break.

The Gunners opted to use a combination of senior and youth players, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera and Noni Madueke amongst those in the senior ranks to not be selected to represent their country.

The majority of Arsenal's first-team contingent have now returned to training, as they look to return to winning ways when they host Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.

Daniel Farke's side remain undefeated in the Premier League this season, and a victory for the hosts would hand Leeds just their second league defeat since March.