Arsenal International Watch: How Players Fared on Duty

Arsenal’s international break burst into life on 26 March, with Viktor Gyokeres producing the standout individual display of the night and Riccardo Calafiori also helping his country move a step closer to the World Cup. It was a mixed evening overall from an Arsenal perspective, with senior success for Sweden and Italy who will now face play-off finals, balanced by disappointment for Max Dowman and England Under-19s.

Gyokeres delivered the performance Arsenal supporters will have noticed first. Sweden beat Ukraine 3-1 in their World Cup play-off semi-final, and the Arsenal forward scored all three goals. He opened the scoring inside six minutes, struck again early in the second half and then completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute.

In a high-pressure knockout match, that was exactly the sort of ruthless contribution Sweden needed from its centre-forward. It also sent them into the play-off final on 31 March, where a World Cup place will be on the line. 

Calafiori also had a productive night as Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo to reach their own World Cup play-off final. Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean got the goals for the Azzurri, but from an Arsenal, Calafiori came through an important international tie uninjured, despite heavy involvement, in a result that keeps Italy alive in the race to reach the tournament.

Christian Norgaard also made a strong impact, scoring Denmark’s fourth goal in their 4-0 World Cup play-off semi-final win over North Macedonia. It capped an impressive night for the midfielder, who helped Denmark book a place in the play-off final and gave Arsenal another positive international update. For Arsenal, it was a timely reminder of the experience and goal threat Norgaard can bring from midfield.

Ben White’s return to the England side was one of the main storylines of the break. The Arsenal defender scored on his first England appearance since leaving the 2022 World Cup camp, but his comeback ended on a mixed note as he also conceded the stoppage-time penalty from which Uruguay equalised in a 1-1 draw at Wembley. White was booed by sections of the crowd when he came on. Noni Madueke also featured in that game and was one of England’s brighter attacking performers, although the winger was forced off in the first half after picking up an injury concern.

Mosquera took a significant personal step by making his senior debut in the 3-0 friendly win over Serbia. The Arsenal defender came on in the 83rd minute for Pau Cubarsí as Spain completed a comfortable victory in Villarreal, while Raya remained part of the squad, but did not make an appearance, as Luis de la Fuente continued his World Cup preparations. For Arsenal, Mosquera’s debut was one of the standout moments of the break and another sign of the club’s growing international presence

Kai Havertz returned to the Germany side for the first time since 2024, starting in a dramatic 4-3 friendly win over Switzerland in Basel. It marked another significant step for the Arsenal forward after his injury setbacks, with Germany using the game as part of their final preparations for the World Cup. For Arsenal, Havertz’s return to senior international action was one of the more important developments of the break.

At youth level, there was frustration for Dowman and England Under-19s. England opened their UEFA U19 EURO elite qualifying round with a 2-0 defeat to Serbia on 25 March, leaving them with work to do in the rest of the group. It was not the result Dowman would have wanted, but his inclusion at that level remains notable given his age and the speed of his development.

 Arsenal will be glad that most players made it through their initial fixtures without injury and with more Arsenal players still due to feature later in the window. Madueke's injury is now the biggest question, with just one more week until the Gunners are back in action as they visit Southampton in the FA Cup.