Arsenal fans are worried about the fitness of the key players after the unstable first week of the national team gathering.
The Gunners" are preparing to enter the decisive stage of the season, with a dense schedule in the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, amid concerns about injuries continuously appearing.
The biggest concern at this time revolves around Noni Madueke, who was forced to leave the field due to an injury in the draw between England and Uruguay. After the match, he appeared with a knee brace, and coach Thomas Tuchel admitted: "Of course I'm worried. Hopefully it's not a serious injury.
The worry did not stop there when Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka also left the England national team to return to the club for a medical examination, although they were previously scheduled to play in a friendly match with Japan.
Although it may just be a preventive measure, this move still makes Arsenal fans uneasy. In the context of the 2026 World Cup approaching, this duo is almost certain to be on Tuchel's list. For Arsenal, losing two key players in the key stage of the season is unacceptable.
In the near future, Arsenal will enter a series of extremely important matches, including the FA Cup and Champions League quarter-finals, along with the Premier League clash with Manchester City. This is a match that could directly affect the championship race.
In addition, the absence list is also prolonged as Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard have all withdrawn from the national team due to fitness issues, while Mikel Merino is still in the process of long-term recovery.
Among these, Eze is the most worrying case when he has to be out of action for 4 to 6 weeks due to a calf injury. Conversely, Odegaard is expected to return soon after a period of absence due to a knee injury.
Players like Trossard, Gabriel, Saliba and Timber have all played at high density during the season and taken advantage of international holidays as a necessary rest time before the sprint stage.
Coach Mikel Arteta is likely to rotate the squad in the FA Cup quarter-final match against Southampton, in order to save strength for key players before the important matches in the Champions League and Premier League ahead.
To maintain the hope of winning the treble, Arteta is forced to make breakthrough adjustments in the Arsenal squad.
In goal, David Raya is likely to return to start instead of Kepa Arrizabalaga to strengthen the solidity of the defense.
In midfield, if Rice has not recovered in time, Zubimendi, in case of health, will take on the role of regulating the play, combined with Christian Norgaard and Kai Havertz. This is considered the framework that can help Arsenal maintain control of the game in the context of Odegaard's absence.
In attack, opportunities are opening up for Gabriel Jesus to score points with the coaching staff, as he is likely to be given a starting spot. The gap left by Saka and Madueke may also open up opportunities for young talent Max Dowman. Besides, Gabriel Martinelli and Jesus will have to shoulder the responsibility of scoring goals more than ever.
In the context of a weak force, Arteta's bravery will face a major challenge when he has to find a way to get Arsenal through the difficult period and maintain their ambition to compete in all competitions.
