Arsenal International Round-Up: White, Havertz and Gyokeres deliver

Arsenal’s international break brought a mix of milestones, goals and disappointment, set against the backdrop of a high number of withdrawals. Ten senior Arsenal players returned early from international duty during the window, but those who remained involved still left their mark before club football resumed.

Viktor Gyokeres delivered the standout Arsenal moment of the break. After scoring a hat-trick in Sweden’s playoff semi-final against Ukraine, he followed it with the decisive goal in a 3-2 win over Poland in the playoff final, striking in the 88th minute to send Sweden to the 2026 World Cup. For Arsenal, it is hard to imagine a better finish to an international window for a striker heading back as the Gunners look to secure their first Premier League title in over 20 years.

Ben White’s return to England was one of the more eventful stories of the break. He scored on his first appearance for his country since 2022 as England drew 1-1 with Uruguay, but the wider England picture became more complicated for Arsenal after Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke all left camp before the second fixture.

England then lost 1-0 to Japan at Wembley, with Kaoru Mitoma scoring the only goal. White’s goal against Uruguay still ensured he ended the break with a landmark moment of his own. Even though defender was booed by England fans in both matches following his substitution, with England fans still unhappy about him walking out of the the 2022 Qatar World Cup squad.

Kai Havertz also found the net, scoring a first-half penalty in Germany’s 2-1 win over Ghana in Stuttgart. It was his 21st senior international goal and another encouraging sign for Arsenal, with Havertz continuing to build rhythm and return to full fitness before returning to club duty. 

Spain’s camp brought both a breakthrough and a setback from an Arsenal perspective. Cristhian Mosquera made his senior debut as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Serbia and then featured again in the goalless draw with Egypt, a notable personal step in his first senior call-up window. Zubimendi, however, withdrew after reporting discomfort in his right knee following the Serbia game. 

Riccardo Calafiori’s break ended painfully. Italy drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina before losing 4-1 on penalties, a result that means the Azzurri will miss a third straight World Cup. For Calafiori, that was one of the toughest outcomes of the international window, given both the stakes and the scale of the disappointment now facing Italy.

Christian Norgaard also fell short in a playoff final. Denmark drew 2-2 with Czechia after extra time before losing 3-1 in the shootout. Norgaard had already scored in Denmark’s semi-final win over North Macedonia, but there was no happy ending in Prague and no World Cup place at the end of it.

So while the break was overshadowed by a high number of Arsenal withdrawals, the players who did stay involved still left a clear imprint. Gyokeres returns in good-form at a time where Arsenal will need him most, White and Havertz both come back with goals, and Mosquera leaves with a senior Spain debut behind him. For Arsenal, it was an international window of extremes rather than one simple story.