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Arsenal Loses 11 Players for International Duty Amid Fitness Concerns

4/1/2026

24 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Arsenal's Player Withdrawals

Arsenal confirmed 11 players withdrew from international duty.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka left England's camp.
Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, and others returned home due to various issues.
Mikel Arteta faces pressure to manage fitness ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton after medical assessments deemed some players too risky to participate.

History

Historical Context

The 1966 FIFA World Cup, held in England from July 11 to 30, marked the first time the host nation won the tournament, defeating West Germany 4-2 in the final. This event highlighted football's global appeal, with 32 teams participating. Today, the withdrawal of players like Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka reflects ongoing challenges in balancing athlete health with competitive demands in the sport.

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Arsenal's Player Withdrawals

Arsenal confirmed 11 players withdrew from international duty.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka left England's camp.
Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, and others returned home due to various issues.
Mikel Arteta faces pressure to manage fitness ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton after medical assessments deemed some players too risky to participate.

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