Arsenal are preparing for their most important run of fixtures in over 20 years – but Mikel Arteta is facing a growing injury list as a host of his star players have withdrawn from international duty over the last week.
The Gunners may have lost the Carabao Cup final to title rivals Manchester City but they remain alive in their three most important trophies this season, with a nine-point lead over City in the Premier League and through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup.
But Arteta is potentially facing a selection crisis ahead of the start of a pivotal week, kicking off with the FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton and the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Sporting Lisbon, while a potential title decider against Pep Guardiola’s side looms large as well.
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke all withdrew from England’s squad to face Japan at Wembley on Tuesday – and there are now 10 withdrawals in total from various international squads.
Eberechi Eze – England
Withdraw date – Sunday 22 March
What was said: The midfielder missed the Carabao Cup final due to a calf injury and is reportedly facing several weeks out. England only said that Eze had been ruled from the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan “through injury”. Arteta said before the final that Arsenal had “tried everything” to get the midfielder ready.
William Saliba – France
Withdraw date – Monday 23 March
What was said: France confirmed Saliba had withdrawn from their squad to play Brazil and Colombia due to a “left ankle injury”. The centre-back had played 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
Gabriel Magalhaes – Brazil
Withdraw date – Monday 23 March
What was said: Saliba’s centre-back partner also played 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup final defeat at Wembley. “After the game… [Gabriel] complained of pain in his right knee,” a statement from Brazil said ahead of the games against France and Croatia in the United States. “Imaging tests have confirmed he is not fit to play.”
Jurrien Timber – Netherlands
Withdraw date – Monday 23 March
What was said: With the right back forced off during the first half of the win against Everton and missing both the Bayer Leverkusen second leg and the Carabao Cup final, the Netherlands confirmed Timber “has not yet sufficiently recovered from an injury” ahead of the friendlies against Norway and Ecuador.
Leandro Trossard – Belgium
Withdraw date – Monday 23 March
What was said: Trossard played 82 minutes of Arsenal’s defeat in the Carabao Cup final but Belgium said the winger was not fit enough for the friendlies against the United States and Mexico. “This decision will allow [Trossard] to continue [his] rehabilitation under optimal conditions,” Belgium said.
Declan Rice – England
Withdraw date – Saturday 28 March
What was said: Rice was given a rest from England’s friendly against Uruguay and only joined up with Thomas Tuchel’s squad on Friday. However, a statement from England a day later confirmed he had returned to Arsenal for “medical assessment”.
Bukayo Saka – England
Withdraw date – Saturday 28 March
What was said: The winger, like Rice, had been offered a break during the first week of the international break. But he also withdrew from England’s squad a day after reporting to the camp. England said he had also returned for “medical assessment”.
Noni Madueke – England
Withdraw date – Saturday 28 March
What was said: Madueke was forced off during the first half of England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay, and was later seen walking out of Wembley with his left knee in a brace. “I’m worried, of course, because I think he was a difference-maker today,” Tuchel said. “[I’m] very sad and upset and hopefully it’s not a big injury.”
Piero Hincapie – Ecuador
Withdraw date – Sunday 29 March
What was said: The defender played 72 minutes of Ecuador’s friendly against Morocco in Madrid, before pulling out of the squad to face the Netherlands on Tuesday. A statement from Ecuador reported that Hincapie “underwent medical and imaging tests” and “based on the evaluation” was sent back to Arsenal to “begin the recovery process”.
Martin Zubimendi – Spain
Withdraw date – Sunday 29 March
What was said: The midfielder came off the bench to replace Manchester City’s Rodri for the final 13 minutes of Spain’s 3-0 win over Serbia on Friday, but it was announced by Spain that he had withdrawn “due to discomfort in his right knee”. The statement added: “To avoid any risk and to protect the player’s health, he has been removed from the squad.”
Is there anyone still playing this week?
Sweden’s Viktor Gyokeres, Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori and Denmark’s Christian Norgaard all face decisive World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday. It’s Poland v Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina v Italy and Czech Republic v Italy, all for a place at the World Cup.
Ben White, ironically, is left as the only Arsenal player in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, after the right back ended his four-year absence from the national team. He scored, gave away a penalty, and was booed in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay, and remains in contention to face Japan.
Defender Cristhian Mosquera made his Spain debut last week, and he and/or goalkeeper David Raya could feature against Egypt, while Kai Havertz remains available for Germany to play against Ghana on Monday night.
Gabriel Martinelli could be the last one back as the Brazil winger faces a friendly against Croatia in Orlanda, Florida that kicks off at 1am UK time, while teenager Max Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly are involved for England’s Under-19s and Under-21s, respectively.
Arsenal’s upcoming games
Arsenal will return from the international break for their FA Cup quarter-final away to Championship side Southampton on Saturday 4 April, kick-off 8pm. It will be followed by the away trip to Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday 7 April.
The Gunners will then return to Premier League duty and will kick off the title race run-in with a home test against Bournemouth on Saturday 11 April, kick-off 12:30, followed by the return leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Sporting on Wednesday 15 April.
Then, it’s the blockbuster trip to Manchester City on Sunday 19 April, kick-off 4:30pm.
