Arsenal get dream scenario after Mikel Arteta 'prayer' as Mikel Merino outshines Lamine Yamal

Mikel Arteta will – once again – be praying for Arsenal to avoid any further injury setbacks during this month's international break. The Gunners are already without a few big names ahead of their clash against Nottingham Forest, so any more blows could be devastating.

Gabriel Jesus has been building his match fitness after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Kai Havertz has been recovering from a minor surgical procedure on his knee.

Bukayo Saka has been nursing a hamstring issue, with Ben White and Christian Norgaard carrying knocks. William Saliba also twisted his ankle in the warm-up ahead of Arsenal's clash against Liverpool just before the international break.

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Arteta will spend the next couple of days watching the UEFA World Cup qualifiers from behind his sofa – and it's not the first time either! Speaking to reporters in November 2024, the Spaniard claimed he'll be praying for no injuries over the international break.

He described the avalanche of setbacks at the time as a 'nightmare'. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up everything you need to know about how Arsenal's stars fared on Sunday night.

Timber helps the Netherlands salvage victory

Jurrien Timber enjoyed a brief cameo in the Netherlands' 3-2 win over Lithuania at the Darius and Girėnas stadium. Shortly after the Arsenal defender replaced Stefan de Vrij, Memphis Depay netted his second goal of the afternoon to put Ronald Koeman's side back in front.

Alongside Micky van de Ven and Sem Steijn, who came on for Nathan Ake and Tijjani Reijnders, respectively, Timber helped his country hold onto three crucial points. While the Gunners ace didn't get on the scoresheet, his brother, Quinten, did in the first half.

Merino outshines Yamal in spectacular Spain win

Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi started in Spain's 6-0 win over Turkey at the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium. The former, who Arsenal signed from Real Sociedad last summer for £31.6m, doubled his country's lead inside the opening half an hour following a brilliant move.

Pedri threaded Marc Cucurella behind the Turkish backline; the Chelsea defender found Nico Williams unmarked in the box, who set up Mikel Oyarzabal with a cushioned pass. The Spanish striker continued the one-touch sequence, playing another punchy pass which allowed Merino to guide the ball into the top far corner.

Merino doubled his tally just moments before the break. The Arsenal ace completed his hat-trick on the hour mark, as he became just the second midfielder to do so for his country across all competitions in the last 15 years, after Isco against Argentina in March 2018.

Trossard blanks in breathtaking Belgium buffet

Leandro Trossard started for Belgium in their 6-0 win against Kazakhstan. The Arsenal winger, who was replaced by Malick Fofana on the hour mark, didn't get himself on the scoresheet, nor did he provide an assist.

It took Rudi Garcia's side a while to shift into gear, but once they did, Kevin De Bruyne broke the deadlock shortly before half-time, the floodgates opened. The Manchester City legend, who joined Napoli in the summer, rolled back the years at Lotto Park.