Spain have called up three Arsenal players for the September-October international break, as they prepare to face England in their opening game.
Spain have confirmed Luis de la Fuente’s list of call-ups for the upcoming international break, with three of Arsenal’s five Spanish internationals making the cut on this occasion.
David Raya, Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi are all involved, having also been in the squad for the World Cup over the summer. Then Kepa Arrizabalaga and Cristhian Mosquera miss out.
Kepa hasn’t been involved with Spain since 2023, and Mosquera has been out of action with an injury recently, so neither of them would have been expecting a call-up.
Arsenal’s five England internationals will be keeping an eye on the Spain call-ups, as the two countries face off in their opening game of the break at Wembley Stadium.
England are sharing a Nations League group with the World Cup champions, so they face a tough task to finish top. Next Saturday’s group opener will surely see both teams keen to send a message.
Spain will then face Croatia (H, Sep. 29th), Czechia (H, Oct. 3rd), and Croatia (A, Oct. 6th) in their remaining games of the break, before playing their final two group matches during the November break.
Perhaps the big question ahead of the break is whether Raya might finally get more of a chance with Spain. The Arsenal goalkeeper has been in excellent form for a long time now, but particularly at the start of this season.
It was understandable that de la Fuente didn’t make a chance in the goalkeeper position ahead of the World Cup. Unai Simon’s experience was obviously a factor that was going to help Spain in the big games.
But for four Nations League fixtures, that same logic doesn’t apply. The Spain boss should simply pick his best goalkeeper, and there’s a strong argument that’s Raya.
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