Arsenal hit hardest by injuries during three-week international break

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 10:44 · Archive

Arsenal were most affected by injuries during the three-week international break, with six players picking up problems.

Arsenal will return to Premier League action significantly depleted after suffering the most injuries during the three-week international break. Six Arsenal players sustained problems during the break: Piero Hincapie missed the entire period, Kai Havertz picked up a hamstring injury against the Netherlands for Germany, and Max Dowman, Ezri Konsa, Christos Tzolis and Martin Odegaard also sustained minor issues. Odegaard returned to play for Norway before the break ended.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal ranked in the top four for the most players involved in international fixtures across all levels. Tottenham averaged the highest minutes played per player, with their 12 players averaging 254.1 minutes of game time.

European football associations have unanimously raised concerns about the extended break and plan to ask Uefa to revert to the previous format. The new three-week break required European countries to play four Nations League games within 11 days, causing deep misgivings about player workload, injuries and financial viability. One FA president told The Guardian it was 'a disaster'. Many expressed preference for the previous set of five two-week breaks, citing concerns that the Nations League fixtures are played at higher intensity than friendlies and offer fewer substitution opportunities.

How it is being reported

• European FAs pushing for three-week international break to be abandonedWorkload, injuries and finances underpin concerns Most European FAs want return to previous format Europe’s football associations have raised serious concerns about the impact of the extended international break and will ask Uefa to push for a reversion to the previous scheduling. The new three-week break left European countries tasked with four Nations League games, which typically took place within 11 days. It has brought deep misgivings about player workload, injuries and financial viability, with one FA president telling the Guardian it was “a disaster” and numerous others saying the…The Guardian · 9 Oct, 10:00
• Arsenal were the biggest losers from the three-week international break as team with the most average minutes is revealed - but how did it affect YOUR club?There are several reasons why most football fans dislike international breaks - especially when they last three weeks - but chief among them is the fact they regularly leave their club's best players injured.Daily Mail Sport · 8 Oct, 21:11

In this story: Arsenal · Kai Havertz · Martin Odegaard · Piero Hincapie · Debbie Hewitt · Uefa

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