Arsenal have been dealt a number of injury blows during the international break, with 12 players now out of action for Mikel Arteta's side
Matty Hewitt Senior Sport Central Audience Writer and Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter
17:34, 31 Mar 2026Updated 17:38, 31 Mar 2026
Head Coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal FC looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Arsenal FC
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Mikel Arteta might face an injury crisis(Image: Getty)
It's been an international break to forget for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, with 12 players now uncertainties for their return to Premier League duties.
Thomas Tuchel admitted the fact so many Arsenal players had withdrawn from international duty looked "suspicious", but insisted there were no doubts over the honesty of the quartet of Three Lions stars to pull out.
While ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has suggested the Premier League should consider punishing players who withdraw from representing their nation to 'benefit' their club: "It's an honour to play for your country. It doesn't sit right with me."
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta looks on during the English League Cup final football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London on March 22, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
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Arsenal have had 11 players pull out of international duty(Image: GLYN KIRK, AFP via Getty Images)
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Martin Zubimendi is the most recent to withdraw from his national team, presenting a significant worry for the Gunners. Another injury setback occurred when Piero Hincapie pulled out of the Ecuador squad before Tuesday evening's clash with the Netherlands.
The Arsenal ace featured in La Tri's stalemate with Morocco on Friday night, where Pervis Estupiñán replaced him during the closing 15 minutes.
The 24-year-old has added his name to an extensive roster of players summoned back from international commitments by Arsenal this month.
Mikel Arteta with his Arsenal players after their Carabao Cup final defeat
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Mikel Arteta might have to deal with an injury crisis this weekend(Image: Graham Hunt/ProSports/Shutterstock)
Noni Madueke, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka all withdrew from the England setup and returned to Arsenal for medical attention, while Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard, and Jurrien Timber all departed their respective national squads, reports Football London.
Here, Daily Star Sportexamines all of the unavailable Arsenal players currently, along with their expected comeback dates...
Martin Zubimendi
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Martin Zubimendi is the latest Arsenal player to suffer an injury blow
The worry over Zubimendi is the latest in a string of unfortunate setbacks for Mikel Arteta's team over the past 48 hours.
A statement from the Spanish FA, issued just hours after another injury shock, read: "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."
Potential return date: Unknown.
Piero Hincapie
Three male athletes are engaged in a soccer match on a field. Two of the players are dressed in white and black uniforms, while the third player wears a white uniform. They are running towards the foreground, suggesting active play. In the background, a blurred image of a crowd is visible, indicating a stadium setting.
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Piero Hincapie is the latest injury blow for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta
Piero Hincapie represents another injury concern for Arsenal and Arteta, having withdrawn from Ecuador's squad for their Tuesday night match against the Netherlands. The defender has returned to the Gunners, but the extent of his injury remains unclear at present.
Potential return date: Unknown.
Leandro Trossard
Leandro Trossard
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Leandro Trossard has pulled out of the Belgium squad(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Leandro Trossard pulled out of the Belgium squad for their international fixtures against the USA and Mexico due to a hip problem.
In a statement, the Belgian FA said: "This decision will allow him to continue their rehabilitation under optimal conditions."
Potential return date: Unknown.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka
Arteta was dealt another injury blow with both England internationals returning to Arsenal, leaving the Three Lions camp just a day after joining Thomas Tuchel's squad. The seriousness of any potential injuries is still unknown at this stage.
An FA statement confirmed: "Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will also return to Arsenal for medical assessment, having arrived on Friday along with nine other players.
"The rest of that group comprised of Dean Henderson, Nico O'Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Dan Burn, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane."
Potential return date: Unknown.
Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke receives treatment
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Noni Madueke was subbed off with an issue on Friday evening(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Madueke appeared visibly distressed as he walked past Thomas Tuchel on the touchline on Friday night, with later images proving especially concerning for the winger.
The 24-year-old, who was sidelined for 15 fixtures for the Gunners earlier this campaign with a knee problem, was spotted sporting a support on his left leg as cameras caught him departing the ground. Consequently, Madueke has been ruled out of Tuchel's squad with what England described as a 'knock'.
When questioned about which players would be departing the England setup before next week's fixture, Tuchel replied: "It's too early. Now we have some injuries and there's also a medical update on the players who came.
"Not everyone is fully fit as I understood. We will take late decisions and maybe take the decision only tomorrow to have a squad against Japan to compete."
Potential return date: Unknown.
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze was absent from the Carabao Cup final following an injury picked up during Arsenal's Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen earlier this month.
Eze withdrew from the England squad due to a calf problem, and will now undergo further evaluation.
However, it's thought that the attacking midfielder could be sidelined for approximately four-to-six weeks, dealing a significant setback to Arsenal during such a crucial stage of the season.
The Gunners have five fixtures within 15 days following the international break, necessitating squad rotation to avoid additional injuries and player exhaustion.
Nonetheless, they'll likely have to navigate this incredibly packed schedule without Eze's services.
Potential return date: Late April or early May.
William Saliba
Arsenal defender William Saliba is dealing with an ankle injury
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Arsenal defender William Saliba is dealing with an ankle injury(Image: (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Similarly to Eze, William Saliba pulled out of this month's international fixtures, which saw France face off against Brazil and Croatia. Despite featuring in Sunday's Carabao Cup final, an ankle injury picked up during the match resulted in his substitution by Maxence Lacroix for international duties.
The French Football Federation confirmed at the time: "William Saliba is unable to join the French national team's training camp, which begins this Monday, March 23.
The Arsenal centre-back is suffering from recurring pain in his left ankle, requiring treatment and a minimum rest period of ten days."
If France's diagnosis is correct, this suggests Saliba should be fit enough to participate in the FA Cup tie against Southampton.
Potential return date: Saturday, 4 April vs Southampton (FA Cup).
Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard was sidelined from last Sunday's Carabao Cup final due to a knee problem. Having been unavailable for approximately a month, uncertainty remains over whether he will be ready for next weekend's FA Cup clash.
Potential return date: Unknown.
Gabriel Magalhaes
The Brazilian Football Federation issued a statement confirming that Gabriel would miss his country's friendlies against France and Croatia due to "pain in his right knee." Scan results have also revealed an injury to the 28 year old centre-back.
Potential return date: Unknown.
Jurrien Timber
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Jurrien Timber has had an injury ravaged season(Image: Getty Images)
Jurrien Timber sustained an injury during Arsenal's victory over Everton earlier this month and has not appeared since.
The full-back has also pulled out of Netherlands duty for their friendlies against Norway and Ecuador, with a statement from the Dutch FA confirming: "Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida has been added to the Netherlands national team squad by national coach Ronald Koeman.
"This follows the withdrawal of Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), who has not yet sufficiently recovered from an injury and is therefore unavailable for this international break."
Speaking before the international break, Arteta confirmed the defender would be assessed after the hiatus in club fixtures.
Potential return date: Saturday, April 4 vs Southampton (FA Cup).
Mikel Merino
While it's expected that Mikel Merino will have sufficiently recovered from his ankle injury to represent Spain in this summer's World Cup, it seems the adaptable midfielder's participation with Arsenal for this season has concluded.
The club are taking a careful approach towards Merino's recovery, and the player was seen at Wembley last weekend on crutches and sporting a protective boot.
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Potential return date: Next season.