Mikel Arteta confirms three Arsenal stars will miss FA Cup clash after injury chaos | Football

Mikel Arteta has confirmed three of his Arsenal stars will miss this weekend’s FA quarter-final clash with Southampton after a wave of withdrawals during the international break.

11 members of Arsenal’s squad were either not involved in recent international fixtures or withdrew from their respective squads during the break.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes pulled out of the France and Brazil squads shortly after the Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City with Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber, who missed the game at Wembley, doing likewise with England and Netherlands.

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka left the England squad without playing a minute with Martin Zubimendi also returning home earlier than planned from Spain. Piero Hincapie limped off during Ecuador’s draw with Morocco while there was concern for Noni Madueke after he was forced off in England’s drab draw with Uruguay.

Madueke was spotted leaving Wembley later that night wearing a knee brace but speaking on Friday, Arteta eased injury fears over his winger, hopeful he will only be out for a matter of days.

Eze has been ruled out for the trip to St Mary’s with Hincapie also set to miss the game on Saturday night.

Martin Odegaard, not involved for Norway during the break as he continued his recovery from a knee injury, is set to be in contention along with Timber.

‘it looked really bad, Noni was really worried especially after what happened to him in his other knee a few weeks ago,’ Arteta said. ‘He was out for six weeks (last time), but no, he’s nowhere near that injury, so that’s really good news.

‘Ebs is out. With Ebs I cannot put a finger (on a timeframe) there because I don’t know, because he’s a special character.’

Arteta added: ‘Those [Timber and Odegaard] are in contention to possibly be in the squad.’

Arteta did not provide updates on Saliba, Gabriel, Rice or Saka although the trio could very well be rested this weekend even if they are passed fit. Zubimendi’s issue is also not thought to be serious.

Asked if any of the players who withdrew would be available, Arteta said: ‘You will see. I continue the speculation, so you can judge it afterwards. If what I say was right or if I need to delete and write something else.’

The spate of international withdrawals at Arsenal prompted criticism with some questioning the severity of the issues. In response, Arteta said: ‘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.’

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