HOT: Arsenal stars withdraw from national teams

After the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal incurred heavy losses when a series of core players got injured, compelling them to pull out from national team commitments during the FIFA Days.

After the defeat in the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal continued to receive unfortunate news as numerous key players simultaneously withdrew from national team gatherings due to injuries. Most recently, defender Gabriel Magalhaes requested to leave the Brazil squad after experiencing issues with his right knee. According to an announcement from the Brazilian Football Confederation, examination results indicated the player lacks sufficient fitness to compete in the upcoming friendly matches. This is seen as a direct consequence of the loss against Man City in the Carabao Cup final.

Prior to Gabriel, several other stars of "The Gunners" also said goodbye to their national teams during this FIFA Days period. The central defensive duo William Saliba and Gabriel, who were starters in the final, both encountered physical problems. Saliba was confirmed to have a left ankle injury requiring at least 10 days of rest, forcing the French national team to call up replacement personnel.

In the forward line, Leandro Trossard also withdrew from the Belgium squad after a recurrence of a hip injury. This decision was made following the mutual agreement between Arsenal and the Belgian football federation to ensure the best physical condition for the player.

Moreover, Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber were also unable to join their national teams due to injuries. Eze is reportedly set to undergo further checks on a calf issue in the coming period, while Timber was absent even from the final match.

Another notable case is captain Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian midfielder was not called up as he is still recovering from a knee injury. The Norwegian national team coaching staff confirmed this is a precautionary decision aimed at helping him reach optimal condition for major upcoming objectives.

On the flip side, Ben White became a rare bright spot by being recalled to the England squad after a long absence since the 2022 World Cup. Having six key players simultaneously injured inevitably worries manager Mikel Arteta, especially as Arsenal is about to enter a crucial phase of the season. After the international break, "The Gunners" will face a packed schedule with important matches in the FA Cup, Champions League, and Premier League, where they are fiercely competing for multiple titles.