Arsenal have received a welcome piece of news ahead of an unusually lengthy international break, after Germany manager Jurgen Klopp opted for an unconventional approach in selecting his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
The first international window following the World Cup stretches across three weeks, spanning the end of September into early October, with the majority of European nations preparing to play four Nations League matches in that period. Rather than naming one large squad to cover all four fixtures, Klopp has chosen to split his 44-man group into two separate units, each assigned to different pairs of matches in Group A2.
The first contingent will face the Netherlands and Greece, while the second group will take over for the subsequent clashes against Serbia and a repeat meeting with Greece. This decision has significant implications for Arsenal, as Kai Havertz has been named only in the first group.
That selection means Havertz will link up with the national team for the away fixture against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on September 24, followed by a home meeting with Greece in Augsburg three days later. Crucially, however, he will not be included when Klopp's second wave of players host Serbia in Munich on October 1, nor for the trip to Thessaloniki to face Greece again on October 4, which brings the window to a close.
For Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, the timing could hardly be better. Havertz has established himself as an indispensable figure in the Gunners' attack this season, operating as the club's first-choice central striker. The German forward, who joined from Chelsea and has previously battled various fitness setbacks during his career, has started in all four of Arsenal's Premier League matches so far this term. Across all competitions, he has featured in six games and found the net on three occasions, underlining his growing importance to Arteta's setup.
Given his injury history, limiting his involvement to only two of Germany's four fixtures during this extended break should help manage his physical load and reduce the risk of burnout or fatigue-related issues once domestic football resumes.
Arsenal head into the international period in outstanding form, having won every one of their six matches across the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup so far this campaign. That impressive run also includes a Community Shield victory over Premier League rivals Manchester City, further cementing the sense of momentum building around Arteta's squad.
Once club football returns, Arsenal face a demanding schedule. They will host Leeds United, Lille and Everton at the Emirates Stadium, while also making away trips to Nottingham Forest, Bayern Munich and Fleetwood. Having a fully fit and rested Havertz available for that stretch of fixtures, particularly the heavyweight European encounter with Bayern Munich, will be viewed as a significant boost by the Arsenal hierarchy.
With competition for places intensifying across Europe's top leagues, managing player workloads during international windows has become an increasingly important consideration for clubs. Klopp's decision to divide his Germany squad, whether motivated by squad rotation, experimentation or player welfare, has inadvertently worked in Arsenal's favor, offering Arteta a measure of control over one of his most valuable assets during a period typically fraught with uncertainty for club sides.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (Football).