Key Takeaways:
- Piero Hincapié and Martin Zubimendi became the 10th and 11th Arsenal players to withdraw from their national teams due to injury concerns
- Multiple first-team members, including Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Gabriel Magalhães, also pulled out of international matches since the start of the break
- Arsenal are scheduled to face Southampton on 4 April in the FA Cup, with Mikel Arteta due to update on player availability beforehand
Comprehensive List of Arsenal Injury Withdrawals
Arsenal’s mounting injury woes intensified this week as Piero Hincapié and Martin Zubimendi were both released early from international duty, raising the club’s tally of injured or recovering players to eleven. The Spanish Football Federation confirmed that Zubimendi was sent home as a precautionary measure following “discomfort in the right knee”. The Arsenal medical department is set to carry out its own assessment to determine the extent of his fitness issues.
Meanwhile, Hincapié sustained an injury in the 70th minute during Ecuador’s clash with Morocco, prompting a substitution before he too returned to London for further evaluation.
𝙀𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 Arsenal stars have pulled out of International duty this week due to injury 👀❌ pic.twitter.com/3PnlrRtKFW
— LiveScore (@livescore) March 29, 2026
Analysis of the Current Injury Situation
The international break has proven especially challenging for the Gunners, as a series of withdrawals from various national teams has left Mikel Arteta with a depleted squad. Noni Madueke was among those forced off after a knee injury sustained in a friendly against Uruguay. In addition to those recently sidelined, Martin Ødegaard remains in recovery, preventing him from featuring for Norway during this period.
Several other Arsenal players, including Leandro Trossard and Jurriën Timber, were similarly released from their national duties as a result of injury issues.
Upcoming Fixtures and Expected Updates
Arsenal are slated to take on Southampton in the FA Cup on 4 April. Prior to this encounter, Mikel Arteta is anticipated to provide clarity on which players remain unavailable and who might recover in time. The fitness and recuperation status of numerous first-team regulars will be crucial as the Gunners prepare for their upcoming commitments.
