Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi has become the 11th Gunners star to withdraw from international duty and return to the Emirates Stadium due to injury concerns. As per the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the 27-year-old star is facing ‘discomfort in his right knee’ and will return to the Gunners to avoid any further risk (h/t The Athletic).
Since joining Arsenal from Real Sociedad over the summer, Zubimendi has established himself as an integral part of their midfield, forging an excellent connection with Declan Rice. He has scored six goals and provided three assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.
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Zubimendi was expected to feature for Spain in their upcoming friendly against Egypt on March 31. However, he will now return to Arsenal to recover from his reported knock. Numerous Gunners stars have picked up various knocks over the current international break, with William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, and Jurrien Timber all pulling out at the start of the break.
Additionally, Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie also withdrew from the Ecuador national team earlier today (March 29) due to an undisclosed injury concern. Martin Odegaard is also unavailable after picking up a knee injury against Tottenham Hotspur last month.
On the other hand, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice have also left the England camp, with Madueke suffering a knee injury. Eze has also been reportedly sidelined for a month due to a calf injury.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping most of his stars are cleared of any injury concerns ahead of their upcoming fixture against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final (April 4).
“He is very frustrated and grumpy” – Norway boss makes honest claim about Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard
Norway manager Stale Solbakken has revealed that Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been left extremely frustrated after picking up a knee injury. This occurred during the Gunners’ 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on February 22.
As a result, Odegaard has missed the Gunners’ last six games across all competitions, including the EFL Cup final defeat against Manchester City. He will also miss Norway’s friendlies against the Netherlands and Switzerland during the current international break.
Solbakken recently told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet (via Express & Star):
“He is very frustrated and grumpy. He has not been involved since we beat Moldova 11-1 (in September). It is his last international match. He was not on the field against Israel, Estonia or Italy. It is clear that it hurts.”
Odegaard has scored one goal and provided seven assists in 27 appearances across all competitions this season.
Edited by Silas Sud
