With the international break in full swing, we take a look at the first-team players (including those out on-loan) who were called up to their respective countries in recent days.
CHILE
Alexis Sánchez sustained what was described as a “low grade muscle injury” in a training session before Chile’s fixture with Colombia. However, he has reportedly received treatment in Santiago and could feature in some capacity against Uruguay on Tuesday, despite Arsène Wenger’s vocal wish that Chile stop acting ridiculous.
COLOMBIA
Goalkeeper David Ospina kept a clean sheet as Colombia and Chile were forced to share the spoils in a goalless affair on Thursday.
COSTA RICA
Joel Campbell was a second-half substitute as Costa Rica beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 on Friday evening.
EGPYT
Mohamed Elneny is expected to start for Egypt in a crunch match against Ghana on Sunday afternoon, with kick-off time scheduled for a 4pm start (UK time).
ENGLAND
Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott were both unused substitutes as Gareth Southgate’s side ran out 3-0 winners at Wembley against Scotland in their Group F encounter.
GERMANY
Skhodran Mustafi was an unused substitute as the World Cup holders thrashed San Marino 8-0 on Friday evening. Former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry netted a hat-trick on his debut with the senior side (and set fans into meltdown), whilst Mesut Özil is enjoying a well-deserved rest.
FRANCE
Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud both played the full 90 minutes in France’s narrow 2-1 victory against Sweden on Friday despite Didier Deschamps saying Giroud is not 100% fit.
JAPAN
Takuma Asano is expected to feature in some capacity for Japan as they face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Kick-off is scheduled for a 10.35am start (UK time), and a win will boost their chances of an automatic qualification spot into the 2018 World Cup.
NIGERIA
Alex Iwobi played 75 minutes for Nigeria during their impressive 3-1 win over Algeria. The 20-year-old forward grabbed the headlines after executing a impressive rainbow flick during the match.
Alex Iwobi just did this against Algeria. pic.twitter.com/pDWnX8y1ng
— 29 (@XhakaLegacy) November 12, 2016
POLAND
Former Arsenal ‘keeper Lukasz Fabianski was preferred to Wojciech Szczesny and kept a clean sheet as Poland were 3-0 winners over Romania in Friday night’s World Cup qualifier.
SPAIN
Nacho Monreal played the full 90 minutes during Spain’s comprehensive 4-0 victory over Macedonia. The left-back, who has struggled for club form this term, grabbed a goal for himself from close-range after a probing pass by Dani Carvajal in the 84th minute.
Hector Bellerín meanwhile, was forced to pull out of the Spain u21 squad with an ankle ligament injury. Suggestions have already been made that the right-back could be sidelined until December as a result of the issue.
SWITZERLAND
Granit Xhaka has been called up and is expected to feature, potentially from the offset, as Switzerland face the Faroe Islands in Sunday’s round of international fixtures. Kick-off is scheduled for 5pm (UK time) and after his impressive display in the north London derby, it’d be a surprise to see the 24-year-old not starting.
WALES
Aaron Ramsey started and played the full 90 minutes in an advanced midfield role for Chris Coleman’s side, but Wales were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw with Serbia after Aleksandar Mitrovic’s second-half equaliser cancelled out Gareth Bale’s opener. Bale hit the post after a delightful pass from Ramsey found him on the right side of the box in the last five minutes of the match (3.30 in the video below).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF9-6OzBTUw
England U21
Calum Chambers played the full 90 minutes in England’s dramatic 3-2 win over Italy on Thursday evening. Rob Holding, meanwhile, wasn’t included in the matchday squad.