Four Arsenal players will have one last chance to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday, after strong performances from the quartet in the qualification semi-finals.
Arsenal players Viktor Gyokeres, Christian Norgaard, Riccardo Calafiori, and loanee Jakub Kiwior were all involved in World Cup qualification semi-finals on Thursday, and none of them let their countries down on the day.
Gyokeres was undeniably the standout performer, scoring a hat-trick for Sweden against Ukraine in a 3-1 win.
The striker’s clever movement got him the opening goal from close range, before he latched onto a goalkeeper long ball to score the second, converting a penalty for the third.
But Gyokeres wasn’t the only goalscorer, with Norgaard turning in from close range after a set-piece in Denmark’s 4-0 win over North Macedonia. The midfielder had been tasked with playing at centre-back on the day, so he’ll also be pleased with the clean sheet.
Then Calafiori and Kiwior both performed well at the back in a 2-0 Italy win over Northern Ireland and a 2-1 comeback win for Poland against Albania respectively.
As a result, all four players are expected to start as their countries play in the World Cup qualification play-off finals on Tuesday.
Italy and Calafiori will travel away to Bosnia & Herzegovina in Path A, whilst Gyokeres and Kiwior will face off against each other in the Sweden-Poland qualifier in Path B, with Sweden getting the home advantage.
Then Norgaard and Denmark will play away to Czechia in Prague in Path D.
The only qualifier without any Arsenal involvement will be Path C, as Kosovo take on Turkey.
All four games will take place on Tuesday, March 31st at 19:45 BST, and by the end of the night we’ll know which Arsenal players are in line for an appearance at this summer’s tournament.