Arsenal injury update: Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke latest return dates | OneFootball

Gunners hit by several fitness worries after internationals withdrawals

Arsenal have been hit by major fresh injury concerns after Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke joined a host of players to pull out of international duty.

Rice, Saka and Madueke have withdrawn from the England squad, joining Gabriel and William Saliba in being unavailable to represent their country.

Eberechi Eze was ruled out of England duty after missing the Carabao Cup final, while Leandro Trossard, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard have also missed international games due to fitness issues.

It leaves Mikel Arteta facing a potential injury crisis as Arsenal bid to bounce back from their Carabao Cup final defeat and their trophy pursuit get back on track.

Arsenal return to action when they play Southampton the FA Cup next Saturday, before they play first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Sporting on April 7 and then resume their Premier League title bid against Bournemouth on April 11.

Declan Rice

Rice has returned to Arsenal for “medical assessment” after dropping out of the England squad ahead of their friendly against Japan on Tuesday.

The midfielder had been allowed to join up late with the England squad, after admitting this month that he was “shattered”.

Declan Rice pulled out of the England squad and returned to Arsenal

The FA via Getty Images

Rice trained with England on Saturday but the FA announced on Saturday evening that he was among eight players to leave the camp.

It is likely to be a precautionary move and Arsenal will hope Rice is fit to play after the international break. But his fitness is a concern.

Potential return date: Saturday April 4, vs Southampton (A) or Tuesday April 7 vs Sporting (A)

Bukayo Saka

Saka also withdrew from the England squad over the weekend, having joined up late after Thomas Tuchel said he wanted to manage the workload of some key players.

In a statement on Saturday, the FA said: “Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will also return to Arsenal for medical assessment, having arrived on Friday along with nine other players.”

Bukayo Saka has also been ruled out of England duty

The FA via Getty Images

Like Rice, his withdrawal is likely to be a precaution.

Arteta has a chance to rest key players against Southampton in the FA Cup, and could give Saka an extended rest amid concern over his form ahead of the run-in.

Potential return date: Saturday April 4, vs Southampton (A) or Tuesday April 7 vs Sporting (A)

Noni Madueke

There are more serious concerns over Madueke after he suffered a knee injury playing for England against Uruguay on Friday.

Madueke injured his left knee following a robust challenge from Rodrigo Aguirre that Tuchel described as “on the edge”.

The winger started at Wembley but had to be substituted towards the end of the first half and Tuchel said after the game that he was “worried” for Madueke.

Noni Madueke suffered an injury against Uruguay

The FA via Getty Images

Madueke was later seen limping through the mixed zone at Wembley after the game and wearing a brace on his left leg, sparking fears of a serious injury.

“I'm worried, of course,” said Tuchel. “Very sad and upset and hopefully it's not a big injury.”

An FA statement on Saturday said: “Noni Madueke has gone back to Arsenal with a knock picked up during the [Uruguay] match.”

Madueke will now be assessed by Arsenal to determine the full extent of the injury.

Potential return date: Unknown

Gabriel

Gabriel withdrew from the Brazil squad because of “pain in his right knee”.

The Brazil Football Federation (CBF) confirmed the Arsenal defender would miss friendlies against France and Croatia after tests confirmed an injury.

Gabriel played the full 90 minutes of the Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City but his fitness is a concern.

Gabriel complained of knee pain after the Carabao Cup final

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is out of the friendlies against France and Croatia,” read a statement from CBF. “After the game against Manchester City, for the final of the English League Cup, the athlete complained of pain in his right knee. Imaging tests have confirmed that Gabriel is not fit to play in the matches during this international break.”

Gabriel is being assessed by Arsenal, with Arteta due to provide an update on the fitness on all the injury dropouts when he holds his next press conference before the Southampton game. But Arsenal fans will hope his withdrawal is also precautionary.

Potential return date: Unknown

William Saliba

Like Gabriel, Saliba played the full 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup final before pulling out of the France squad.

The French Football Federation [FFF) said Saliba was unavailable for games against Brazil and Colombia due to an injury issue.

“William is suffering from recurring pain in his left ankle, requiring treatment and a minimum rest period of ten days,” said an FFF statement.

That would mean Saliba will be in contention to return after the international break.

Potential return date: Saturday April 4, vs Southampton (A)

Eberechi Eze

Eze missed the Carabao Cup final and is facing around a month out with the calf injury he sustained in the Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen on March 18.

Eberechi Eze missed the Carabao Cup final

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arteta said Eze would have a definitive scan this week to determine the full extent of the injury and his injury comes as a major blow for Arsenal.

A timescale on his return will become clearer after those tests, but the fact his injury came ahead of an international break will help minimise the impact created by his absence.

Potential return date: Unknown

Martin Odegaard

The impending return of Odegaard will help ease the impact of Eze's loss.

Odegaard has been unavailable for a month due to a knee injury and was ruled out of Norway games against Holland and Switzerland to focus on his recovery.

But there is hope he will be fit to play after the international break. Odegaard’s return to Arsenal action is “within reach”, according to Norway manager Stale Solbakken.

Potential return date: Saturday April 4, vs Southampton (A)

Jurrien Timber

Timber missed the Carabao Cup final with an ankle problem and then withdrew from the Netherlands squad for games against Norway and Ecuador.

He instead stayed at Arsenal to continue his recovery.

Arteta had said he hoped Timber would be fit to face Manchester City at Wembley, suggesting his injury is not serious.

Potential return date: Saturday April 4, vs Southampton (A)

Leandro Trossard

Trossard pulled out of the Belgium squad for games against the USA and Mexico due to an unspecified injury.

“This decision will allow him to continue their rehabilitation under optimal conditions,” said the Belgian FA in a statement.

It is likely to be another precautionary move.

Potential return date: Saturday April 4, vs Southampton (A)

Mikel Merino

Merino is in a race to play for Arsenal again this season and be fit for the World Cup, after having surgery on a foot injury in February.