Arsenal have received a handful of injury setbacks during the international break with their FA Cup quarter-final fast approaching
05:00, 31 Mar 2026
Declan Rice of Arsenal looks on from the bench prior to the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace
View 4 Images
Declan Rice has returned to Arsenal early(Image: Getty)
Arsenal have players representing their nations across the globe during the international break, with Mikel Arteta's side eyeing up their next FA Cup assignment. They went into the break following their Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester City.
The Gunners have produced a remarkable campaign thus far. They occupy top spot in the Premier League with a nine-point cushion over City in second place and remain in the Champions League.
While the prospect of a quadruple has disappeared following their Carabao Cup setback, more silverware remains achievable through the FA Cup, with their next outing taking them to Southampton for the competition's quarter-final stage.
However, throughout the international window, Arteta has encountered some concerning fitness issues, with Declan Rice amongst those impacted. football.london provides the latest updates surrounding the club.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Arsenal's five injury updates
The Gunners have seen a substantial number of their squad members withdraw from international commitments during this period, including three who had originally been selected for Thomas Tuchel's England squad.
Noni Madueke of England leaves the game injured during the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium
View 4 Images
Madueke limped off during the first half at Wembley(Image: Getty)
Noni Madueke sustained a knee injury while featuring for the Three Lions in last Friday's friendly fixture. The Athletic report he will be unavailable for the Southampton encounter and faces uncertainty over the subsequent Champions League meeting with Sporting CP.
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice also departed the England camp on Saturday. Addressing all three players, manager Tuchel commented: "The risk for making it worse was clearly too big, they were both in discomfort, clearly in discomfort when we did the medical assessments.
"So it made no sense for them to stay. Everyone will be out for quite some days but not dramatically. The assessment then, with the picture, is slightly better than his feeling, but he will be out for some days."
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal passes the ball during a training session
View 4 Images
Rice and Saka have been sent home from England duty(Image: Getty)
CBS Sports reports that Piero Hincapie, who was recalled from Ecuador duty, is also expected to miss the FA Cup fixture, leaving Arteta anxious ahead of the Sporting tie and their forthcoming Premier League clash against Bournemouth.
Martin Odegaard is another absentee from international duty through injury. Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has revealed that the sidelined Odegaard is progressing well in his recovery from a knee problem. The manager told Dagbladet: "When he will be ready, I don't know. But it is good progress."
Declan Rice's England team-mate speaks out
Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson of England interact following the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Albania and England at Air Albania Stadium
View 4 Images
Anderson admits Rice has helped him(Image: Getty)
Despite Rice being unable to pull on an England shirt during this break, having sat out the Uruguay match following an extended rest period, one of his midfield colleagues has lavished praise upon him.
Article continues below
Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson has opened up about the role the Arsenal midfielder has played in welcoming him into the camp, saying: "It's a really good partnership, he's made me comfortable.
"The relationship on the pitch is really good. I'm trying to learn from the way he plays, bits of advice, putting his arm around me, building the relationship."
Get £250 to switch to Virgin Media's sport packages
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
from £52.99
Virgin Media
Get the deal here
Virgin Media is paying new customers up to £250 as a bill credit when they switch to one of its TV and broadband packages, several which are packed with hundreds of channels including Sky Sports, Netflix and fibre broadband.