Arsenal Injury Crisis Deepens as Six Players Withdraw from International Duty

London – A growing injury list is causing concern for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as six players have now withdrawn from their respective national teams ahead of upcoming international friendlies. The withdrawals, including key defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, raise questions about the Gunners’ fitness heading into a crucial stretch of the Premier League season.

Gabriel, Saliba Among Those Ruled Out

Brazilian center-back Gabriel Magalhaes is the latest to pull out, confirmed by reports from the Daily Mail on March 23, 2026. He’s been experiencing pain in his right knee following Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced that Gabriel will not feature in Brazil’s friendlies against France and Croatia.

“Gabriel Magalhaes is not fit to play in the matches during this FIFA international window,” a statement from the CBF read.

Saliba, who partners Gabriel in central defense for Arsenal, has also been ruled out for France. The France Football Federation stated Saliba is suffering from pain in his left ankle and requires a minimum of ten days of rest. Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix has been called up as a replacement.

Further Concerns for Arteta

The withdrawals don’t stop there. Leandro Trossard, Jurrien Timber, and Eberechi Eze have also been forced to pull out of international duty due to injury. Adding to the concerns, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was previously confirmed to be missing from the Norway squad as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

This wave of injuries comes after a physically demanding Carabao Cup final, where Arsenal fell short against Manchester City. The timing is particularly unfortunate for Arteta, as he prepares his team for a challenging run of league fixtures.

Timber, Eze, and Trossard’s Situations

Jurrien Timber, who has been sidelined since being substituted during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton on March 14th, remains unavailable for the Netherlands. Eberechi Eze will also miss England’s upcoming matches after suffering a calf injury in the Carabao Cup final.

Trossard, who played 82 minutes in the final, is dealing with a hip issue that has prompted his withdrawal from his national team. The extent of his injury, along with those of Gabriel and Saliba, remains unclear at this time.

What This Means for Arsenal

The sheer number of injuries within the Arsenal squad is a significant blow. Losing key players like Gabriel and Saliba disrupts the defensive stability that has been crucial to their success this season. Arteta will need to rely on depth and potentially reshuffle his backline in the coming weeks.

The absence of Odegaard also impacts Arsenal’s creativity in midfield. His ability to dictate play and provide key passes will be sorely missed. The club will be hoping that the international break allows these players sufficient time to recover and return to fitness as quickly as possible.

The situation highlights the intense physical demands placed on players in modern football, particularly during a congested fixture schedule. It also underscores the importance of squad depth and the ability to cope with injuries.

Next Up for Arsenal

Arsenal returns to Premier League action on April 5th, 2026, with a home match against West Ham United. The club will be hoping to have several of their injured players back in contention for that fixture. Updates on the players’ recovery will be closely monitored in the coming days.

Fans will be eager to see how Arteta manages the situation and whether he can navigate this injury crisis to maintain Arsenal’s push for a top-four finish. The club’s medical team will be working around the clock to ensure the players receive the best possible care and return to the pitch as soon as they are fit to do so.

The international break provides a brief respite, but the challenges facing Arsenal are far from over. The Gunners will need to demonstrate resilience and adaptability as they navigate this difficult period.