Arsenal’s Injury Woes Deepen as Zubimendi Joins Growing List of Absentees
The international break has delivered a significant blow to Arsenal’s title aspirations, with a growing number of key players forced to withdraw from national duty due to injuries. The latest to join the casualty list is Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who has pulled out of the Spain squad with a knee complaint.
Zubimendi featured briefly in Spain’s dominant 3-0 friendly victory over Serbia on Friday, coming on as a late substitute. However, subsequent assessment revealed discomfort in his right knee, prompting his withdrawal from the squad to face Egypt. A statement confirmed that the decision was made to “avoid any risk and to protect the player’s health,” with Arsenal FC’s medical staff duly notified.
This latest setback means Zubimendi becomes the eleventh Arsenal player to be sidelined during this international window, a concerning trend as the Gunners enter a crucial phase of the Premier League run-in.
A Global Impact: Numerous Gunners Sidelined
The injury crisis is not confined to one nation. Earlier on Saturday, it was confirmed that Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie would also return to his club for treatment. The 24-year-old played 72 minutes in Ecuador’s game against Morocco but will now focus on his recovery, though the specifics of his injury remain undisclosed.
Arsenal’s captain, Martin Odegaard, was among the first to withdraw from his national team commitments for this March break. The Norwegian playmaker is reportedly struggling with a knee issue. His last appearance for Arsenal was as a substitute in the emphatic 4-1 win against Tottenham on February 22nd.
Adding to the growing list of unavailable players are William Saliba, Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, and Jurrien Timber. These four Gunners have all withdrawn from their respective national squads without featuring in any matches. An official Arsenal statement indicated that these players would remain at the club during the international break to continue their rehabilitation.
England’s Own Concerns: Eze and Madueke Under Scrutiny
The impact of this international break extends to England’s squad as well. Four English players linked with Arsenal have pulled out of their camp. These include Eberechi Eze, who was reportedly replaced by Arsenal’s own right-back Ben White. Other notable withdrawals from the Three Lions are Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Noni Madueke.
Of those who did feature, Ben White played a significant role in England’s 1-1 friendly draw against Japan. White opened the scoring for England but conceded a late penalty that allowed Federico Valverde to level the scores in the 94th minute.
However, the most significant concern from England’s fixtures appears to be Noni Madueke. The talented winger was substituted in the 38th minute of the match following a heavy tackle. He was later seen leaving the stadium in a leg brace, leading his manager, Thomas Tuchel, to express his worry. “I’m worried, of course,” Tuchel admitted. “Very sad and upset and hopefully it’s not a big injury.” Madueke will now undergo a thorough assessment by Arsenal’s medical team to determine the severity of his injury.
Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze is expected to miss a substantial portion of Arsenal’s critical run-in. The 27-year-old sustained a calf injury earlier this month during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. His absence was keenly felt in the Carabao Cup final, where the Gunners struggled to create clear-cut chances in their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City. Reports suggest Eze is likely to be sidelined for between four to six weeks. This lay-off would rule him out of crucial Premier League fixtures, as well as potential FA Cup and Champions League ties.
A Lengthy List of Absences: The Full Roll Call
The extent of Arsenal’s injury concerns during this international break is stark. The following players are currently ruled out:
- Martin Odegaard (Norway)
- Leandro Trossard (Belgium)
- William Saliba (France)
- Gabriel (Brazil)
- Jurrien Timber (Netherlands)
- Eberechi Eze (England)
- Declan Rice (England)
- Bukayo Saka (England)
- Noni Madueke (England)
- Piero Hincapie (Ecuador)
- Martin Zubimendi (Spain)
Navigating a Treacherous Fixture List
With such a significant number of key players unavailable, Mikel Arteta’s side faces a daunting challenge in the coming weeks. Arsenal’s immediate focus shifts to the FA Cup quarter-finals against Southampton on April 4th. This is followed by a crucial Champions League tie against Sporting Lisbon, with the first leg in Portugal on April 7th, just four days before a Premier League clash at home to Bournemouth. The return leg against Sporting takes place on April 15th.
The month culminates in a potentially season-defining encounter against Manchester City at the Etihad on April 19th. Pep Guardiola’s side will likely view this fixture as a must-win to have any chance of catching Arsenal in the title race. Currently, the Gunners hold a nine-point lead over City, although their rivals have a game in hand. The month concludes with Arsenal hosting Newcastle on April 25th. The ability of the squad to manage these fixtures without their injured stars will be a true test of their depth and resilience.
