Arsenal midfielder Martín Zubimendi has withdrawn from the Spain national team due to a knee issue, joining a list of nine other Gunners who have pulled out of international duty. Zubimendi was a late substitute in Spain's friendly victory over Serbia on Friday, but ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Egypt, he was removed from the squad to protect his health. The midfielder's withdrawal comes after a series of injuries to key Arsenal players, with defender Piero Hincapié also returning to the club early to recover from an undisclosed injury.
Zubimendi's decision to leave the Spanish national team camp follows a pattern of Arsenal players being withdrawn from international duty due to injury concerns. Defender Noni Madueke limped off during England's 1-1 draw with Uruguay, while teammates Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have undergone medical assessments and will not feature in Tuesday's clash against Japan. The injuries have raised concerns about Arsenal's ability to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The Gunners are currently nine points clear at the top of the table and face a busy schedule in the coming weeks, including FA Cup and Champions League quarterfinals. Martín Zubimendi's injury has added to the club's concerns, but the extent of his absence remains to be seen.
Zubimendi's injury is a significant blow to Spain's chances in their upcoming friendly against Egypt, but for Arsenal, it's a worrying trend that could impact their title defense. With several key players already out injured, Zubimendi's absence adds to the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta to manage his squad effectively. The Gunners will need to find a way to maintain their momentum without their injured players.
