Though they won’t be involved in the World Cup, four members of Mikel Arteta’s squad will play in international matches this week.

BODO, NORWAY - OCTOBER 13: Kieran Tierney of Arsenal passes the ball during the UEFA Europa League group A match between FK Bodo/Glimt and Arsenal FC at Aspmyra Stadion on October 13, 2022 in Bodo, Norway. (Photo by David Lidstrom/Getty Images)
BODO, NORWAY: Kieran Tierney of Arsenal passes the ball during the UEFA Europa League group A match between FK Bodo/Glimt and Arsenal FC at Aspmyra Stadion on October 13, 2022. (Photo by David Lidstrom/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s plan for the World Cup break was to give some time off to those not involved in the tournament, before restarting training at some point next week.

But some of Arsenal’s non-World Cup internationals will miss out on that break to feature in friendlies over the coming days.

Scotland and Estonia kick us off, as Kieran Tierney is in Steve Clarke’s squad to face Turkey on Wednesday at 17:00 GMT, whilst Karl Hein is in the Estonia side competing in the Baltic Cup, starting with a semi-final against Latvia at the same time as Scotland play.

Estonia will then play either a final or a third-place play-off later in the week.

Next up, Norway have a couple of fixtures planned this week, with manager Stale Solbakken confirming that Martin Odegaard will start in the first of them away to Ireland on Thursday at 19:45 GMT.

Norway will then host Finland on Sunday at 13:00 GMT before their mini-break ends.

Finally, Mohamed Elneny has been called up by Egypt for their friendly match against Belgium on Friday at 15:00 GMT.

Belgium are obviously preparing for the World Cup, and they’ve organised this friendly as part of their pre-tournament schedule.

A couple of Arsenal’s loanees will also be involved with their countries.

Nicolas Pepe has received a call-up from the Ivory Coast to face Burundi on Wednesday at 16:00 GMT and Burkina Faso on Saturday at 16:00 GMT.

Meanwhile, Runar Alex Runarsson will join Hein at the Baltic Cup, with Iceland facing Lithuania in their semi-final on Wednesday at 17:00 GMT.

Iceland's goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson (L) saves a shot by Israel's forward Liel Abada (C) during the UEFA Nations League football match on June 2, 2022. (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Iceland’s goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson (L) saves a shot by Israel’s forward Liel Abada (C) during the UEFA Nations League football match on June 2, 2022. (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal Non-World Cup International Schedule (times in GMT)

Wednesday, 16th November

  • 16:00 – Ivory Coast vs Burundi
  • 17:00 – Turkey vs Scotland
  • 17:00 – Latvia vs Estonia
  • 17:00 – Lithuania vs Iceland

Thursday, 17th November

  • 19:45 – Ireland vs Norway

Friday, 18th November

  • 15:00 – Belgium vs Egypt

Saturday, 19th November

  • 16:00 – Burkina Faso vs Ivory Coast

Sunday, 20th November

  • 13:00 – Norway vs Finland