With 11 Arsenal players withdrawing from international duty this month, the question arises: Is the club facing an injury crisis or exercising caution with so much at stake this season?
Among the 20 Premier League teams, 228 players received international call-ups, and 23 have since withdrawn—nearly half of them from Arsenal.
Following the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, defender William Saliba confirmed he would not join the French national team due to an ankle injury. His center-back partner, Gabriel, also withdrew from the Brazil squad due to a knee issue.
They were later joined by England forward Eberechi Eze (calf), Norway midfielder Martin Ødegaard (knee), and Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber (groin), all of whom missed the cup final due to injuries, as well as Belgium forward Leandro Trossard (hip).
After players reported for national duty, five more Arsenal players withdrew: England’s Declan Rice (knock), Bukayo Saka (knock), Noni Madueke (knee injury against Uruguay), Spain’s Martin Zubimendi (knee), and Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié (undisclosed injury).
This raises the question: Are Arsenal players genuinely injured, or is the club wisely prioritizing player fitness?
England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed understanding regarding the speculation surrounding Arsenal’s withdrawals. However, he emphasized his complete trust in the honesty of Rice and Saka, stating they both desperately wished to play in Tuesday’s friendly against Japan. After a medical assessment, the risk of exacerbating their injuries was deemed too high.
Tuchel remarked, “I understand the skepticism. I still have full confidence in Bukayo and Declan. We conducted medical tests, and I observed both players. Declan was even on the pitch but did not insist on leaving.”
Mikel Arteta’s squad has faced injuries during previous international breaks this season, with captain Ødegaard, Gabriel, Timber, and Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori all experiencing issues.
FIFA regulations mandate that players must report for international duty when called up. National teams can conduct their own medical evaluations to confirm injury withdrawals, and agreements can be reached regarding players with minor injuries.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery acknowledged midfielder Youri Tielemans’ desire to join the Belgian national team, emphasizing its importance. He stated, “His commitment to us is significant, but I wanted to give him the chance to represent his country.”
Not all managers share this view. Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former Manchester United manager, once labeled international friendlies as “a waste of time.” His former midfielder Nicky Butt recalled instances where his manager prevented him from joining the England squad, stating, “He never asked me to fake an injury; he simply said I wasn’t going.”
Amid the ongoing discussions about Arsenal’s player withdrawals, it’s essential to recognize that each player has valid reasons for their decisions, all assessed by medical staff. While some may question the sincerity of these withdrawals, it’s noteworthy that, aside from striker Viktor Gyökeres, who remains with Sweden, nine of the Arsenal players who withdrew rank among the top ten for minutes played this season.
After experiencing key injuries during previous international breaks, Arteta likely appreciates the caution being exercised with his players at this crucial stage of the season.
