Arsenal has seen 11 players withdraw from international duty this month, raising questions about whether the team is facing an injury crisis or simply being cautious amid a crucial season.
Across the Premier League, 228 players were called up for international duty. Twenty-three later withdrew, and nearly half of those are Arsenal players.
Defender William Saliba pulled out of the France squad due to an ankle injury after the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City. His centre-back partner, Gabriel, later withdrew from Brazil’s squad with a knee problem.
Other absences include England forward Eberechi Eze (calf), Norway midfielder Martin Ødegaard (knee), Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber (groin), and Belgium forward Leandro Trossard (hip). All had missed the Wembley cup final through injury.
After joining their national teams, five more Arsenal players withdrew: England trio Declan Rice (knock), Bukayo Saka (knock), Noni Madueke (knee), Spain’s Martín Zubimendi (knee), and Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié (undisclosed).
The withdrawals coincide with Arsenal’s challenge on three fronts this season, including their bid to win a first Premier League title in 22 years. The Gunners sit nine points ahead of Manchester City with seven games remaining, though City have a game in hand. Arsenal also face Sporting CP in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, just days after a FA Cup quarter-final trip to Southampton on 4 April.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said he understood potential skepticism around Arsenal’s withdrawals. On Rice and Saka, he added he had “no reason to believe” the players were not honest. Both wanted to play against Japan, but medical assessments deemed the risk too high.
Tuchel stated: “I understand the look of it. I still have 100% trust in the honesty of Bukayo and Declan. We did medical tests. I saw them. Declan was even out on the pitch. He did not come and say, ‘Guys, I’m going home’.”
Injuries during international breaks have affected Arsenal before. This season, captain Ødegaard, Gabriel, Timber, and Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori have all suffered issues.
