5 Arsenal stars to watch during the international break

Arsenal enter the November international break in good form, with six games undefeated in the Premier League, so the loss of action may be a concern to some fans.

However, with Arsenal’s injury issues this break has come at a good time. The two week absence for Arsenal means a number of the Gunners injured contingent can continue their recovery without pressure, with returns imminent after the international period.

Meanwhile, in-form Arsenal stars will go away with their nations and look to continue their form. For some it’s a chance to impress, whilst others will be looking to keep consistency ahead of a crucial end to the year for Arsenal.

Here, I take a look at five Gunners that we should be keeping close tabs on during the international break and it also gives us a chance to continue the Arsenal association away from the domestic action.

Hit the team celebrating below to see FIVE Arsenal internationals to watch over the next two weeks.

Olivier Giroud

With Theo Walcott set to return imminently from injury, Olivier Giroud faces competition again for the first-team spot. In Walcott’s absence Giroud has done well, becoming Arsenal’s leading goalscorer, but consistency is the key.

After a frustrating performance against Tottenham, the international break gives Giroud the chance to find his way again. Crucially for him, it’s also the chance to become Les Bleus main striker with Karim Benzema absent due to the fiasco involving him and Lyon midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.

Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez entered the last international break firing on all cylinders, after a hat-trick against Leicester City, and returned in similar vein of form; scoring a brace against Manchester United. It was clear Arsenal had a world-class talent.

However since then Alexis has dipped out of form a bit. Frustrated in the 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, the Chilean also struggled to get going properly in the draw against Tottenham. His spot in the team isn’t in doubt, nor will it ever be, but Arsenal need Alexis back in full-form immediately.

Joel Campbell

Joel Campbell has had his best few weeks in an Arsenal shirt, although truthfully there wasn’t much to compete with. The Costa Rican finally proved himself in North London, with some admirably performances that included netting his first goal against Swansea City.

With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey all returning soon, Campbell is likely to see his first-team chances decrease again. However, those players all need time to find full fitness and Campbell can use this to his advantage.

A decent performance on the international stage could provide the boost for Campbell at Arsenal upon his return, in a crucial weekend that sees the Gunners face West Brom whilst title-rivals Manchester City clash with Liverpool.

Petr Cech

A few weeks back we’d have expected Petr Cech to have broken the all-time Premier League clean sheets record but it hasn’t worked out that way. Despite conceding just nine all season in the league, Cech has just one clean-sheet in the past five games in all competitions.

That run includes conceding three against Sheffield Wednesday and five against Bayern Munich, which is never good. However, all the goals that Arsenal have conceded in that run of fixtures have not been Cech’s fault- which is good.

A break for Cech away on international duty could be exactly what he needs. With the Czech Republic qualified, these friendlies will give hime game-time in a comfortable environment- before a crucial run of games with Arsenal.

Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla was far from his usual self in the North London derby, with Arsene Wenger revealing an issue with dizziness after the game, and without their Spanish maestro the Gunners midfield never quite got going.

Though he has his critics, Cazorla is an integral part of our squad and at his best he’s one of the finest in the league. Now he has the chance to find some consistency after a difficult few games with Arsenal, before returning to continue an impressive partnership with Francis Coquelin.