Odegaard plays 45 minutes for Norway, duo fire Spain to victory – Arsenal internationals round-up | OneFootball

Arsenal duo Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino inspired Spain to a 3-0 victory against Bulgaria on Thursday evening, with six other Arsenal players also involved in action for their national teams.

Zubimendi was instrumental in Spain’s early opener, threading a clever pass to release Mikel Oyarzabal for his goal, while Merino was on the scoresheet once again, heading home from Lamine Yamal’s corner.

David Raya was an unused substitute, with Spain boss Luis de la Fuente continuing to favour Athletic Club’s Unai Simon as his first-choice goalkeeper.

After being limited to just 20 minutes in Arsenal’s defeat to Liverpool due to a shoulder problem, Martin Odegaard started for Norway in their World Cup qualifier against Finland.

The Arsenal captain was withdrawn at the interval after a subdued display, while Erling Haaland grabbed the only goal of the game from the penalty spot.

Leandro Trossard featured off the bench in Belgium’s 6-0 thrashing of Liechtenstein, playing 23 minutes.

Jurrien Timber was an unused substitute as the Netherlands were held to a 1-1 draw with Poland, while Arsenal U21 defender Maldini Kacurri marked his senior debut for Albania with a clean sheet in their 1-0 victory over Gibraltar.

Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli both started in Brazil’s dominant 3-0 win against Chile, with Martinelli shining on the left wing despite recent criticism from Arsenal supporters.

Meanwhile, new signing Piero Hincapie played the full 90 minutes in Colombia’s goalless draw with Ecuador.

On Friday night, Cristhian Mosquera is set to feature for Spain U21s against Cyprus U21s, while Riccardo Calafiori could start for Italy in their clash with Estonia. Viktor Gyokeres is also expected to lead the line as Sweden take on Slovenia in Ljubljana.

And Arsenal’s English quartet of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke may all make appearances as England take on Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday.