November international action round-up

Kieran Tierney
November international action round-up 

By Jack Lacey-Hatton 

The final international break of 2021 has seen Arsenal players jetting all across the globe over the last week.

Qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is coming to a head over the next window and several of Mikel Arteta’s first-team are in the thick of the action.

A number have already pulled on their national jersey over the last few days, so let’s take a look at those who have already been in action.

 

Smith Rowe debut

It was a proud moment for Arsenal academy product Emile Smith Rowe on Friday night as he made his senior England debut.

He came off the bench with 15 minutes left of the Three Lions' qualifier against Albania. England were already 5-0 up, and that is how it finished at Wembley.

Emile Smith Rowe

His club-mates Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale were both unused substitutes for Gareth Southgate’s team.

 

Tierney helps Scots reach play-offs

Left back Kieran Tierney won his 29th cap for his country, once again playing a slightly different role to his position for the Gunners, operating within a back three.

He was one of the heroes as Scotland won 2-0 in Moldova with Tierney producing an excellent display, topped off by a goal-saving tackle to prevent a penalty rebound after teammate Craig Gordan saved an 82nd minute Moldovan spot-kick.

The result confirms the Scots will finish second in their group and be in the play-offs next year with a chance to qualify for Qatar 2022.

 

Tomiyasu earns clean-sheet

In-form Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was also in international action this week.

On Thursday Tomiyasu was part of the Japan side that won their FIFA World Cup Asian section qualifier in Vietnam, 1-0.

He played the full 90 minutes at centre back alongside former Southampton defender Maya Yoshida and put in a composed display.

Japan currently lie third in their group, following the win and travel to Oman on Tuesday with Tomiyasu expected to start again.

 

Elneny helps Egypt fightback

He may be struggling for game time at the Emirates at the moment, but midfielder Mohamed Elneny reminded everyone of his quality when representing his national team on Friday.

Elneny combined with Liverpool star and fellow countryman Mo Salah, to score a fine goal for Egypt in Angola during first-half stoppage time.

The Egyptians were 2-0 down until the 29-year-old struck from just inside the area, and it inspired a fightback, with the game finishing 2-2 in Group F of the African qualifying section.

Egypt will top the group and have confirmed their place for the third round of qualifying, a two-legged play-off, with the winners advancing to Qatar.

He wasn’t the only Arsenal player to score in an African qualifier this week.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 54th minute penalty gave his team Gabon a 1-0 win over Libya in Libreville.

 

More to come

The international action continues over the coming days, with more Arsenal players swapping club for country.

Martin Odegaard is expected to start for Norway at home to Latvia later today, while Albert Sambi Lokonga will be hopeful of getting on the pitch for Belgium who face Estonia.

Sead Kolasinac’s Bosnia take on Finland, also on Saturday, with his side still maintaining a chance of finishing in a play-off spot.

Photo credit: Getty Images

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