Six Arsenal players not set to take part in the World Cup featured for their countries in the build-up to the tournament this week.

Scotland's defender Kieran Tierney (L) fights for the ball with Ukraine's midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko during the UEFA Nations League B Group 1 football match at Hampden Park stadium, in Glasgow, on September 21, 2022. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Scotland’s defender Kieran Tierney (L) fights for the ball with Ukraine’s midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko during the UEFA Nations League B Group 1 football match at Hampden Park stadium, in Glasgow, on September 21, 2022. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal have 10 players involved in the World Cup over the international break, but six players from countries not involved in the tournament featured in international friendlies and mini-tournaments this week.

Kieran Tierney played for Scotland against Turkey, whilst Martin Odegaard completed two sets of 90 minutes for Norway against Ireland and Finland, providing an assist in the former fixture.

Mohamed Elneny took part in a win for Egypt against World Cup-bound Belgium, whilst Karl Hein played twice for Estonia in the Baltic Cup, conceding one goal and keeping one clean sheet.

Finally, Arsenal loanees Nicolas Pepe and Runar Alex Runarsson featured for their countries, with Pepe scoring the Ivory Coast’s fourth against Burundi and Runarsson keeping a clean sheet in Iceland’s Baltic Cup semi-final against Lithuania.

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Runarsson dropped to the bench for the final against Latvia, but he got to join in the celebrations afterwards as Iceland lifted the trophy following a penalty shoot-out victory.

Arsenal Non-World Cup International Results

Wednesday, 16th November

  • Ivory Coast 4-0 Burundi – Pepe scored and played 31 minutes as a substitute
  • Turkey 2-1 Scotland – Tierney played 90 minutes
  • Latvia 1-1 Estonia (Latvia won 5-3 on penalties) – Hein played 90 minutes
  • Lithuania 0-0 Iceland (Iceland won 6-5 on penalties) –  Runarsson played 90 minutes and kept a clean sheet

Thursday, 17th November

  • Ireland 1-2 Norway – Odegaard played 90 minutes and assisted Norway’s opening goal

Friday, 18th November

  • Egypt 2-1 Belgium – Elneny played 90 minutes and created one big chance

Saturday, 19th November

  • Estonia 2-0 Lithuania – Hein played 90 minutes and kept a clean sheet
  • Latvia 1-1 Iceland (Iceland won 8-7 on penalties) – Runarsson didn’t feature in this match as Iceland won the Baltic Cup
  • Burkina Faso 2-1 Ivory Coast – Pepe played 90 minutes

Sunday, 20th November

  • Norway 1-1 Finland – Odegaard played 90 minutes and created five chances
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