Arsenal handed new Ezri Konsa injury scare as early England exit confirmed | OneFootball

Centre-back ruled out of Czech Republic clash and returning to Gunners for assessment

The defender played the full 90 minutes on Saturday night as England thrashed Croatia 7-0 in a remarkably dominant display in the Nations League.

After starting in the 3-2 defeat by Spain at Wembley, Konsa was an unused substitute for the 2-0 win against the Czech Republic in Prague.

Konsa missed training ahead of that match, though Thomas Tuchel suggested it was not a serious issue.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Croatia, the England manager then confirmed that Konsa had overcome his knock and was ready to play again.

“It seems that Ezri Konsa is back,” Tuchel said.

“He did the full training today [Friday] and this is of course a lot of hope for tomorrow, because he is a key player for us."

Konsa was able to play the full match against Croatia but the decision has now been made for him to leave the camp early.

He will play no part when England host the Czech Republic on Tuesday night and is instead returning to Arsenal for further assessment.

Setback: Ezri Konsa had played the full 90 minutes for England against Croatia

AFP/Getty

The Gunners are back in Premier League action against Leeds on Saturday, in their first match since the heavy defeat by Brighton last month.

Konsa's fitness is particularly important for Arsenal considering William Saliba's long-term injury. The Frenchman is still some way from being available after a persistent back problem that was exacerbated during the World Cup but did not require surgery.

Arsenal have already had Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis return early from international duty with hamstring injuries during the extended break.

There was also a scare for Martin Odegaard, who picked up an ankle injury in Norway's first match of the window, but he has since played twice and fully recovered.