Mikel Arteta has provided up an update on Eberechi Eze.placeholder image
Mikel Arteta has provided up an update on Eberechi Eze. | AFP via Getty Images
Mikel Arteta played down scepticism over Arsenal injury problems following withdrawals from the international break.
Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze is set to miss out of the FA Cup clash with Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium tonight with manager Mikel Arteta still unsure as to when the 27-year-old will return.
Eze has been out of action since the 2-0 win over Everton in the middle of March due to a calf injury. The niggle had seen the player miss out of the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, as well as the two England friendlies against Uruguay and Japan over the international break.
The former Crystal Palace man has been a key asset for the Gunners this season, having arrived on a £67.5 million transfer from Selhurst Park last summer. Eze has nine goals and six assists across all competitions, turning in huge performances in both North London derbies against Tottenham Hotspur.
After this evening’s meeting with Championship side Southampton, Arsenal have the Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon either side of the visit of AFC Bournemouth, before a huge trip to Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta provides Eberechi Eze injury update
It remains unknown when Eze will be back in the Gunners squad. Speaking on Friday, Arteta said: “Ebs is out. With Ebs I cannot put a finger [on how long he’ll be out], I don’t know, because he's a special character.”
Arsenal had found themselves at the centre of injury controversy over the international breaks with almost half of the 23 Premier League players to pull out of the internationals playing for the Gunners. Given the quest for Premier League glory at the Emirates Stadium, that had brought about scepticism over the severity of the injuries.
When that was put to the Arsenal boss, he replied: “We have very good relationships and communication with most of the national teams. Certainly with Thomas [Tuchel]. We’ve been extremely supportive all the time. When you have to communicate the state and the moment of every player, we are always very honest. In the end there was a medical decision that has to be made. It was clear what the conclusion was.
“When a player is fit and available, he has to play. It makes us very proud that we have that many players in the national team and the players are desperate to play with the national team. We are fully supportive of that. When we can do it, we do it.”
Arteta confirmed that the knee injury picked up by Noni Madueke was not as bad as first thought with the winger out for just a matter of days. Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber are also ‘in contention’ to feature against Southampton tonight.
In other news, Arsenal decide to axe 11-goal player and bidding opens at £50m.
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