Arsenal had a busy international break despite not being in action as an incredible 11 stars returned to north London for treatment having reportedly picked up injuries
10:21, 01 Apr 2026
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the UEFA Champions League, Last 16, first-leg football match Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Arsenal in Leverkusen, western Germany, on March 11, 2026
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Mikel Arteta has been told some of his Arsenal players should be banned(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal face a tough battle with three trophies remaining within reach this season and numerous fitness concerns to navigate. A total of 11 Gunners cut short their international duties to return to north London for medical attention ahead of the Premier League's resumption in April.
Mikel Arteta's squad have an FA Cup quarter-final looming on Saturday evening against Southampton and the boss may be compelled to ring the changes. Key figures like Declan Rice, Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze and William Saliba all withdrew from their national squads to rejoin the club.
With just seven fixtures remaining in the Premier League campaign, it appears Arteta is edging closer to his maiden league crown since assuming control in 2019. Supporters will be hoping the Gunners can maintain their nine-point advantage to secure the silverware in May. Here, the Daily Star Sport brings you the latest developments from the Emirates Stadium.
Demands for significant Arsenal suspension
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice of Arsenal interact during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on March 01, 2026 in London, England.
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Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are two of many Arsenal stars to pull out of international duty(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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Gabby Agbonlahor insists that Arsenal's supposedly injured stars should be banned from domestic fixtures if they have withdrawn from international duty.
An incredible 11 players have pulled out of their respective national squads. The list features Saliba, Rice, Eze, Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel, Leoandro Trossard, Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke. The former Aston Villa star was discussing the heated title battle between the Gunners and Manchester City when the subject of the departing Arsenal stars arose.
He said: "If I was part of the Premier League and I was making a decision, I would bring in a new rule, you miss the next Premier League game available if you pull out of international duty.
"I tell you something, players will stop pulling out. Playing for your country is an honour. If I'm Harry Kane, I'm speaking about this and saying, 'Come on, guys, let's not go back to what we were doing four or five years ago where players are pulling out non-stop.'
"I get it, Arteta is doing everything possible to win these trophies. Their next game after the international break is the FA Cup against Southampton.
"I'm just not keen on players pulling out of international duty. It's an honour to play for your country. It doesn't sit right with me."
Fresh White theory surfaces
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 27: Ben White of England during the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Ben White returned to the England squad for the first time in four years under Thomas Tuchel(Image: Marc Atkins, Getty Images)
TalkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham reckons that Ben White failed to complete his England preparation during the 2022 World Cup which resulted in his public withdrawal from the squad.
The seasoned defender made his international comeback for the first time since leaving the Three Lions four years previously. Thomas Tuchel selected White as cover for the injured Jarell Quansah and he netted on his return in a 1-1 stalemate with Uruguay. However, the reasons behind his England departure in 2022 remain hotly debated and Durham has a fascinating theory. He stated: "This is what I'm led to understand has happened with Ben White.
"The players were told to watch videos of opponents and they were given videos on their laptops, iPads, whatever it was. He decided not to and the England analysts knew, because they had the tech, who had and who hadn't watched the videos.
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"When asked about it, Ben White got really upset about it to the point where he quit England. If that is true, why on earth would Thomas Tuchel want him back in the squad when he's not prepared to put the hard yards in to be as good as he possibly can against the opponents England are up against. If it's not true, I apologise, but let's have the flipping truth."