Arsenal's impressive season has been overshadowed by a series of injury concerns during the international break, with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka among those affected. Mikel Arteta's side, who currently lead the Premier League by nine points, are preparing for their FA Cup quarter-final at Southampton, but several key players are now doubtful.
Noni Madueke sustained a knee injury while playing for England in Friday's friendly and is expected to miss the Southampton match, as well as being a doubt for the subsequent Champions League clash with Sporting CP. Both Saka and Rice left the England camp on Saturday after reporting discomfort. England manager Thomas Tuchel explained: "The risk for making it worse was clearly too big, they were both in discomfort, clearly in discomfort when we did the medical assessments. So it made no sense for them to stay. Everyone will be out for quite some days but not dramatically."
In addition, Piero Hincapie, sent home from Ecuador duty, is likely to miss the FA Cup tie, leaving Arteta with concerns for the Sporting fixture and an upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth. Martin Odegaard is also absent from international duty due to a knee problem, though Norway boss Stale Solbakken noted the midfielder is making good progress: "When he will be ready, I don't know. But it is good progress."
Despite Rice's absence from England's squad, his midfield colleague Elliot Anderson has praised the Arsenal star's influence. Anderson, of Nottingham Forest, said: "It's a really good partnership, he's made me comfortable. The relationship on the pitch is really good. I'm trying to learn from the way he plays, bits of advice, putting his arm around me, building the relationship."
Arsenal, who have already lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City, will be hoping to avoid further setbacks as they pursue FA Cup and Champions League honours.
