THE two-week break has seen mixed fortunes for the international Cherries. 

There was tournament qualification, goals and clean sheets for some, while others saw disappointing results and performances.

But once they are back in Bournemouth, the Cherries’ staff ask them to not focus too much on how they and their nations have performed in the break, positive or negative.

“We don't look too much about it, because you have different situations,” Andoni Iraola said.

“Dango [Ouattara] scores two goals, they [Burkina Faso] are qualified for the African Cup.

“Sini [Luis Sinisterra] plays 15 minutes, [scores] one goal, one assist.

“Probably they are coming in a good mood.

“Other situation, probably Antoine Semenyo, with Ghana, they are almost out of the African Cup, a big, big national team and probably bad news for him.”

Once they return, the Cherries staff aim to get them focused on the next game straightaway, this week showing them videos of Arsenal, their opponents on Saturday.

“We have been working with the others during this break so they can start focusing on the game, that it matters for us,” Iraola said.

“I'm sure that it’s something important for them when they are with the national teams, but we try to not talk too much about it because there is a reason they have their own coaches there and there are things to think and to improve.

“But we try everyone to focus as quickly as possible. The last one to arrive was Sini that arrived yesterday. Normally it's like this, also, Antoine arrived quite late.

“But the others, we've had at least two trainings to prepare for the game.”

AFC Bournemouth host Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium at 5.30pm on Saturday, October 19.