Arteta reveals worrying Eze injury update as England decision made

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Eberechi Eze will miss England’s upcoming friendlies after Arsenal confirmed the midfielder requires another scan on his calf injury in six to seven days.

The 27-year-old was a notable absentee from Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley, having been forced off during Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek.

Despite training in the build-up to the final and the club’s efforts to get him fit, Eze was ultimately ruled out of the showpiece event as Arsenal fell to a 2-0 defeat against Pep Guardiola’s side.

England withdrawal confirmed

The injury has now forced Eze to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the crucial pre-World Cup friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, both taking place at Wembley.

Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes is expected to replace Eze in Tuchel’s expanded 35-man squad as the new England manager continues his preparations ahead of this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Speaking after the Carabao Cup final, Mikel Arteta confirmed the nature of the injury and provided a concerning update on the timeline for Eze’s return.

“We have to do another scan in six or seven days and wait to see the results,” Arteta said, confirming that Eze’s problem was a calf injury.

Blow for Arsenal’s ambitions

The injury represents a significant setback for both player and club. Eze has become a crucial component of Arteta’s squad since his arrival, offering creativity and pace in the final third that proved vital during Arsenal’s Champions League knockout victory over Leverkusen.

His absence from the Carabao Cup final was clearly felt as Arsenal struggled to break down Manchester City’s defence, ultimately falling short in their bid to claim silverware at Wembley.

The uncertainty surrounding Eze’s recovery timeline will be particularly concerning given Arsenal’s packed fixture schedule in the coming weeks. The Gunners remain active on multiple fronts, with Premier League and Champions League commitments requiring squad depth.

Arsenal will be hoping the upcoming scan provides clarity on Eze’s condition and offers a clearer picture of when the England international might return to action for Arteta’s side.