This has been an absolute dream season for Arsenal so far. Sparkling performances and a five-point lead at the top of the table are more than fans dared hope for at this stage and have made them early title favourites

That means stopping the season in mid-flow for a month for a winter World Cup is not one hundred percent welcome. Fans will get behind their national teams but also be praying that no key player picks up an injury.

For the players it is a chance to enhance their profiles. That can potentially bring lucrative sponsorship from firms in different markets, from a UK poker site to ones producing football games or fashions for men. Just look at Neymar for example, his profile has made him millions from a renowned poker operator, and while Arsenal’s finest will have full focus on their career, there’s no doubt that their repuatation and bank balance could take a significant boost from a good performance over the next few weeks.

These are the Arsenal players that are on World Cup duty in Qatar.

England

  • Aaron Ramsdale

Ramsdale is first-choice goalkeeper for Arsenal and has had a great season up to now, but he is in Qatar strictly as number two behind Jordan Pickford. The 24-year-old joined the England squad for the first time during last summer’s European Championships, but did not actually play for his country until the 0-10 away win over San Marino during the World Cup qualifying rounds.

He is unlikely to get a game in Qatar.

  • Ben White

White has also been outstanding during Arsenal’s brilliant start to the season. He has excelled at both right back and centre back and it is that defensive versatility that makes him an asset to England as well.

He did not play during the opening win over Iran, but can fill in for anyone from Trippier to Maguire or Stones, none of whom were totally convincing in that match. He is another player who first got the call during the last European Championships and has earned four caps for his country so far.

  • Bukayo Saka

Saka has bounced back from his penalty shoot-out disappointment at Euro 2020 to excel for his club again this season so far. He has also made a spectacular start in Qatar, scoring two goals in the opening win and being named the Man of the Match.

The 21-year-old midfielder is a rising star for club and country and key to England’s hopes. Arsenal need him to come back fit after the tournament though.

Brazil

  • Gabriel Jesus

Jesus has 56 caps for Brazil but is still regarded as a fringe player rather than automatic starter. It is likely that he will play at some point, especially if Brazil stay in the tournament for longer, but he will not figure all that prominently.

He has made a promising start to life at the Emirates, with five goals from 14 appearances, but is not a truly key player yet for Arsenal either.

  • Gabriel Martinelli

Martinelli is another attacker on the fringe of the Brazilian World Cup squad. His selection at the age of just 21 surprised some, but Neymar was one of those who praised the decision.

It is not likely that he will feature much so early in his career though.

France

  • William Saliba

Saliba is another of Arteta’s young starlets that have impressed in 2022 and earned a World Cup call. France are among the favourites for the trophy and Saliba could form part of the three-man defence preferred by Didier Deschamps.

He is a regular starter for Arsenal but did not make the team for France’s opening match. They were very wobbly in defence against Australia, but he faces stiff competition for a place from Upamecano and Konate among others.

Ghana

  • Thomas Partey

Ghana are rank outsiders for the World Cup, but Gunners fans will pay close attention to the performances of Thomas Partey. He is the main man for them in midfield and getting out of their group probably depends on his form.

He goes into the tournament on the back of good club displays, and has 40 caps for his country. Some people are tipping Ghana as Group H dark horses and that is largely because of his presence.

He could give them enough to see off Uruguay and South Korea.

Switzerland

  • Granit Xhaka

30-year-old Xhaka is not a glamour player, but his midfield ‘enforcer’ role adds hugely important steel to Arsenal. He is a veteran of two previous World Cups, in 2014 and 2018 and has 107 Swiss caps to his name.

He will captain them against Cameroon, Serbia and Brazil in their group, but it is a tough line-up of opponents. All three are among the favourites, making Switzerland underdogs, but he is expected to be a stand-out performer.

Arsenal have a lot of players at this tournament, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Matt Turner also there, so fans are hoping for strong displays and no injuries.