International break looms large for Arsenal’s overworked stars | OneFootball

After a tough start to the season, Arsenal rebounded with a vital 2-0 win over West Ham in the Champions League.

Goals from Mariona Caldentey and Amalie Vilain Kafaji secured the victory, but as the international break approaches, Arsenal face a new challenge.

Key players are set to be involved in crucial fixtures, threatening to stretch an already overworked squad. With defensive injuries piling up, manager Renée Slegers will need to manage the team carefully in the busy weeks ahead.

DAGENHAM, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal celebrates scoring her team’s first goal with teammate Emily Fox during the Barclays Women’s Super League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at Chigwell Construction Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Dagenham, England. (Photo by Jaimi Joy/Getty Images)

Unlike last season, where the Gunners were defeated two goals to one for their first-ever loss to West Ham Women, the Gunners got the job done thanks to a Caldentey penalty and a late Kafaji goal.

Renée Slegers decided to keep a tried and tested XI the same way she did against Valerenga. The main change was the introduction of Catley at left centre-back as Williamson was rested and on the bench.

Maanum was also introduced at number 10, replacing Mead, with Caldentey shifting to the right wing. The team was van Domselaar; Fox, Codina, Catley, McCabe; Wälti, Little; Caldentey, Maanum, Foord; Russo.

DAGENHAM, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: Katie McCabe of Arsenal shoots during the Barclays Women’s Super League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at Chigwell Construction Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Dagenham, England. (Photo by Jaimi Joy/Getty Images)

One thing is clear, since Jonas Eidevall’s departure, Renée Slegers has decided to steady the ship by putting the experienced players on the pitch. Therefore, there has been no rotation or experimentation in the two games she has been in charge, and it has given the teams two important morale-boosting wins in the Champions League and in the league.

The team sits in second place in their Champions League group, while they are currently fifth in the league, five points behind the leaders Manchester City. They are also four points behind Chelsea, but the Blues have a game in hand against Manchester United.

It means potentially seven points behind, and that’s obviously unlikely to be caught.

Now, the biggest problem coming Arsenal’s way is the international break, with 20 players involved. Some players have friendlies, and others will be taking part in the UEFA Women’s Euros play-offs.

Arsenal have two players who have started 11 games out of 11 this season: Emily Fox and Katie McCabe. Fox is on her way to the USA and could potentially play three games, putting her health at risk with multiple games and a long trip back. McCabe is playing a huge play-off game and captains her country, so is unlikely to get a breather.

DAGENHAM, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: Kim Little and Stina Balckstenius of Arsenal warm up with teammates prior to the Barclays Women’s Super League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at Chigwell Construction Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Dagenham, England. (Photo by Jaimi Joy/Getty Images)

There are three players who have also started 10 games out of 11: Caldentey, Codina, and Little. Little has retired from international duty, so she can have two weeks with light and personalised training. Caldentey and Codina have friendlies and hopefully can get a breather.

The next block of games between 3 November and 21 November will see the team play five games in 18 days, including two Champions League games against Juventus home and away, as well as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur away from home.

At some point, some of those overworked players will need to get rotated. There is enough depth in attack and midfield to give players in those positions a breather. But defence has been a problem with Williamson, Catley, and Wienroither all sidelined at some points. The Austrian FA has confirmed Wienroither has a meniscus problem, and she is out for an unknown time.

Hopefully, none of the senior and youth internationals away from the club will come back injured, although Katie Reid has already withdrawn from the England U-19 team from the Algarve Cup squad.