Arsenal Fan View: international break ill-timed for the Gunners

Tradition has it, that whenever an international break rolls in between the football season, a flurry of pieces come about its positives and negatives. This time though, we should probably be looking at the specific case of how it affects Arsenal.

Among the positives of any international break are generally the respite a team like Arsenal gets from its moody form, while the fans recover from consistent mental traumas. This friendly football week, however, has come ill-timed even for the Gunners.

After suffering through yet another horror month and a half post new year, fans could be forgiven for needing a break from football. But just as they were being brought back to the positive notion that their team was in-fact a competitive side, Wenger’s holidays began.

READ MORE: Jack Wilshere makes secret Gary Neville revelation

READ MORE: Theo Walcott looks like the only loser in high-level game of ‘stick or twist’

A strong contingent of the fans may actually want Wenger to take a long vacation from the club, but not in this fashion. His squad had just turned the tide and were feeling good after two big victories against Milan-and a cojone busting one against Watford.

He has repeatedly spoken of discontent over the international break and one quote of his is quite famous. “The national coaches take the car from the garage without even asking permission. They will then use the car for ten days and abandon it in a field without any petrol left in the tank. We then have to recover it, but it is broken down. “

It is hard not to agree with Wenger there, no matter how difficult it is do that otherwise. The international breaks in between the core season completely derail any momentum teams have. And if the players come back injured, that’s a double bonus of bad luck you didn’t need.

There are currently 10 players out on duty for Arsenal and it is safe to say most of them are first team starters. At the stage where the club needs it best players fully fit, a single injury could wreak havoc(again).

READ MORE: Arsenal star reveals France snub

READ MORE: Manchester United announce women’s team

Whether the introduction of Euro Nations League from next season makes a difference remains to be seen. Still, Wenger will be hoping his troops make it back safely in one piece. Having no Lacazette and still going past Milan was nothing short of good luck and he will not want to push it too much.

The Europa league is the biggest concern for the club at the moment, but it will still need all players to be available to be won. Sadly, these are the times when history tells us the bad luck with injuries this club has.

After all, international break injuries are as much part of the Arsenal tradition as anything else.