Mikel Arteta has defended Arsenal after eleven of their players withdrew from international duty last month.
The Arsenal boss stated that the club has “a very good relationship” with most national teams. This comes after speculation arose around a potential injury crisis or cautious approach from the Gunners.
Across the Premier League, 228 players were called up by their countries last month for World Cup qualifiers and friendlies, with 23 dropping out. Almost half of those withdrawals were Arsenal players.
Arteta on National Team Communication
Arteta stressed that the medical condition of every player was clearly communicated to their national teams.
“We have very good relationship and communication with most of the national teams – certainly with [England manager] Thomas [Tuchel] too,” Arteta said.
He added, “We have been extremely supportive all the time. When you have to communicate the state of every player, we are always honest and a medical decision had to be made. That was clear what the conclusion was.”
Arteta said his players were “desperate” to play for their countries, stating that “when you are fit and available to play for the national team, you have to play.”
“It makes us so proud that we had that many players in the national team,” he added. “Players are desperate to play for their nation. I know how important it is to them. We are fully supportive of that and when we can do it, we do it.”
Arsenal’s Injury List
Following the Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City earlier this month, William Saliba confirmed he would not be joining up with France because of an ankle injury.
Gabriel then withdrew from the Brazil squad with a knee problem.
They were later joined by England forward Eberechi Eze (calf), Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard (knee) and Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber (groin) – who all missed the cup final defeat at Wembley through injury – as well as Belgium forward Leandro Trossard (hip).
After players joined up with their respective countries, five more from Arsenal withdrew – England trio Declan Rice (knock), Bukayo Saka (knock) and Noni Madueke (injured his knee against Uruguay) as well as Spain’s Martin Zubimendi (knee) and Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie (undisclosed).
FA Cup Match Against Southampton
Premier League leaders Arsenal are in FA Cup quarter-final action on Saturday as they visit in-form Championship side Southampton.
Arteta confirmed Eze will miss the game through injury, but Odegaard and Timber are in contention to return, while Madueke’s injury is not as bad as first feared and is a doubt.
Asked how many of those 11 players who withdrew from international duty will be available for selection against the Saints, Arteta added: “You will see. I will let you do the speculation. You can judge afterwards. We are in a position right n