Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad are facing a serious injury headache following a turbulent international break, with as many as 12 players now doubtful ahead of their return to domestic competition.

Fresh Concerns Over Midfield and Defense
One of the latest setbacks involves Martin Zubimendi, who has withdrawn from international duty with Spain due to discomfort in his knee, reports alldaysport.net

Medical staff opted to take a cautious approach, ensuring the issue does not worsen, while Arsenal have been kept fully informed of his condition.

Meanwhile, defender Piero Hincapié has also returned early from international duty after picking up a knock while representing Ecuador.

The severity of his injury remains unclear, adding further uncertainty to Arteta’s defensive options.

Key Players Return Early From International Duty
Several high-profile names have already been sent back to North London for treatment, including Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who both left the England camp shortly after joining. Their fitness levels are still being assessed.

Winger Noni Madueke is another concern after being seen wearing a leg brace following England’s recent match. His withdrawal was officially described as precautionary, but the images raised alarm among fans.

Attacking and Midfield Worries Mount

Leandro Trossard has pulled out of Belgium’s squad due to a hip issue, while Eberechi Eze is expected to miss several weeks with a calf injury. This could prove to be a significant blow given Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures.

Adding to the midfield concerns, captain Martin Ødegaard is still recovering from a knee injury and remains a doubt for the next match.

Defensive Line Under Pressure

At the back, William Saliba has been sidelined with an ankle problem, while Gabriel Magalhães is dealing with a knee issue confirmed by Brazil’s medical team.
Jurriën Timber is also unavailable after failing to recover in time for international duty, leaving Arteta short of defensive depth.

Season Potentially Over for Merino

In another setback, Mikel Merino is unlikely to feature again this season. The midfielder is recovering from an ankle injury and has been seen using crutches, with the club taking a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.

Crucial Period Ahead

Arsenal are set to face a demanding run of five matches in just over two weeks once club football resumes. With so many players struggling for fitness, squad rotation will be critical—but Arteta may have limited options at his disposal.

The coming days will be decisive as medical assessments continue, and fans await clarity on whether key players will be fit in time for this crucial stage of the season./ALLDAYSPORT/