Martin Zubimendi has withdrawn from international duty after experiencing a knee issue with Spain. The midfielder is the 10th Arsenal star to pull out of their national team camp during the Premier League break.
Zubimendi played 13 minutes of Spain's friendly clash against Serbia on Friday. The 27-year-old has experienced 'discomfort' in his knee and has departed the Spain squad to avoid any further risk.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation said: "Martín Zubimendi has withdrawn from the Spanish national team camp due to discomfort in his right knee. To avoid any risk and to protect the player's health, he has been removed from the squad. Arsenal FC's medical staff have been informed of the situation."
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Zubimendi's withdrawal follows Piero Hincapie departing Ecuador's squad ahead of their clash against the Netherlands. The defender also featured on Friday evening in a draw against Morocco, before medical tests led to his decision to exit.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have returned to Arsenal for assessment too. The pair missed England's first game and were only called up for the latter half of the campaign to manage them carefully.
But they will now miss England's friendly against Japan, along with Noni Madueke, who was forced off during the Three Lions' draw against Uruguay. Madueke was spotted in a knee brace following the clash.
England's Noni Madueke sustains an injury during the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026 in London, England
Noni Madueke suffered a knock while on international duty (Image: Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
The Arsenal attacker has been described as having a knock since exiting Thomas Tuchel's squad. Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard, and Jurrien Timber have also all pulled out of their respective international squads.
England boss Tuchel had planned to use Arsenal's stars, “‘I know that this window, this camp, is where the clubs play a very crucial time of the season,” Tuchel said ahead of the break.
"They play for championships, they play for quarter-finals in the Champions League. We are very well aware of it but we have also our own goals, we have our own targets. The players are keen to play and it has to be like this.
England's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) consoles England's midfielder Noni Madueke (C) as he leaves the game, injured during the friendly International football match between England and Uruguay
Tuchel consoled Madueke (Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)
"I always accepted it as a club manager. I never got involved in lineups, I never pushed any national coach because I was hoping that my players get picked, I was also hoping that they are proud to play.
“Of course, you’re never happy if something happens. No one can predict that there is no accident, but we have a World Cup qualifier and we’ll take responsible decisions.”
Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino are also injured. They did not link up with Norway or Spain, respectively.
Odegaard has been absent for around a month and missed Arsenal's Carabao Cup final against Manchester City due to a knee injury. Merino, meanwhile, is not anticipated to return until next season.
The former Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund ace was spotted on crutches at Wembley. He will be fighting to be fit enough to make Spain's World Cup squad.
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