Arsenal will continue their push for silverware when Mikel Arteta’s players return from representing their respective countries this international break
Mikel Arteta could be without several Arsenal players for their next match(Image: Getty)
Arsenal are being represented on the world stage during the international break, with Mikel Arteta’s side next in FA Cup action. They entered the break on the back of a defeat in the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City.
The Gunners have enjoyed an incredible season to date. They sit atop the Premier League with nine points separating them and the chasing City and are still in Champions League contention.
While they may not be able to achieve a quadruple after their Carabao Cup loss, they can still win the FA Cup and their next fixture sees them travel to Southampton in the competition’s quarter-finals.
Yet during the international break, Arteta has been handed some worrying injury setbacks and Declan Rice is among the affected. Mirror Football brings you the latest from the Emirates.
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The Gunners have seen a huge number of their players withdraw from international duty during this break, including three who were initially called up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
Noni Madueke suffered a knee injury while playing for the Three Lions in their friendly last Friday. The Athletic now reports that he will miss the match with Southampton and is a doubt for the following Champions League clash against Sporting CP.
Madueke limped off injured(Image: Getty)
Both Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice also left the England camp on Saturday. Speaking about all three, manager Tuchel said: “The risk for making it worse was clearly too big, they were both in discomfort, clearly in discomfort when we did the medical assessments.
“So it made no sense for them to stay. Everyone will be out for quite some days but not dramatically. The assessment then, with the picture, is slightly better than his feeling, but he will be out for some days.”
CBS Sports reports that Piero Hincapie, who was sent home from Ecuador duty, will also likely miss the FA Cup game, leaving Arteta sweating over the Sporting fixture and their upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth.
Rice and Saka returned early from England duty(Image: Getty)
Martin Odegaard is another who is missing out on playing for his country because of injury. Norway boss Stale Solbakken says the excluded Odegaard is making good progress with his recovery from a knee issue. The manager told Dagbladet: “When he will be ready, I don’t know. But it is good progress.”
Declan Rice’s England team-mate speaks out
Although Rice won’t get to feature in an England shirt this break, missing the Uruguay match after being given an extended rest period, one of his midfield team-mates has sung his praises.
Anderson spoke highly of Rice(Image: Getty)
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has shared what it’s like sharing the pitch with the Arsenal star, who he says has welcomed him into the fold behind the scenes. He said: “It’s a really good partnership, he’s made me comfortable.
“The relationship on the pitch is really good. I’m trying to learn from the way he plays, bits of advice, putting his arm around me, building the relationship.”
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