Arsenal have had several players withdraw from their respective national teams during this month’s international break ahead of Premier League title run-in – and it’s caused quite the stir
Gabby Agbonlahor believes some Arsenal players should be banned after 10 of them withdrew from international duty this month. The former Aston Villa striker‑turned‑pundit has argued that the Premier League should consider penalising players who pull out of representing their country to ‘benefit’ their club.
Arsenal face a crucial few weeks in the title race, with Manchester City nine points behind Mikel Arteta’s side but holding a game in hand. Speaking about the withdrawal situation, an irked Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT: “If I was part of the Premier League and I was making a decision, I would bring in a new rule, you miss the next Premier League game available if you pull out of international duty.
“I tell you something, players will stop pulling out. Playing for your country is an honour. If I’m Harry Kane, I’m speaking about this and saying, ‘Come on, guys, let’s not go back to what we were doing four or five years ago where players are pulling out non-stop.’
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“I get it, Arteta is doing everything possible to win these trophies. Their next game after the international break is the FA Cup against Southampton.
“I’m just not keen on players pulling out of international duty. It’s an honour to play for your country. It doesn’t sit right with me.”
William Saliba was the first to withdraw from international duty, pulling out of the France squad after Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
Eberechi Eze was then ruled out of England’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard, both still managing injuries, also withdrew from the Netherlands and Norway squads respectively.
Leandro Trossard left the Belgium camp, while Martin Zubimendi withdrew from Spain’s squad and Piero Hincapie departed Ecuador’s to head back to England.
Noni Madueke, who suffered a knee injury during England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay last Friday, was permitted to leave the squad. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were given the first week off to rest after Thomas Tuchel split his group across the two fixtures.
It’s understood that after joining the rest of the squad at the Tottenham Hotspur Way training ground, they were also allowed to leave.
Tuchel has, however, defended Saka and Rice, insisting he has no reason to doubt their injuries as suspicions were raised about Arsenal’s large number of withdrawals. “I understand how it looks,” he said on Monday. “I still have 100% trust in the honesty of Declan and Bukayo.
“We ran medical tests, I saw them. I have no reason to believe either of them is being anything other than honest with me. But given the number of Arsenal players withdrawing, I understand the perception. They were desperate to be involved, just to get the narrative straight. But both were clearly in discomfort.”
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