Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi withdraw from Spain squad with knee injury as official statement released

Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi don become the 10th Gunners player wey don withdraw from international duty this month because of knee problem.

The Spain international – wey don play more minutes than any other Arsenal outfield player for 2025-26 season with 3,575 minutes across all competitions – come on as late substitute for Friday 3-0 friendly win against Serbia.

Zubimendi replace Manchester City midfielder Rodri for last 13 minutes of the game, wey Mikel Oyarzabal score double plus Victor Munoz strike make La Roja waka away with comfortable victory.

Him suppose dey involved for Tuesday exhibition game against Egypt, but the 27-year-old don return Arsenal for further assessment.

Spain release official statement on Sunday afternoon say Zubimendi complain of knee pain, and former Real Sociedad man no go get replacement.

Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi out of Spain squad with knee problem

“Martin Zubimendi don withdraw from Spanish national team camp because of discomfort for him right knee,” Spain statement talk. “To avoid any risk and protect player health, him don remove from squad. Arsenal FC medical staff don dey informed about the situation.”

Zubimendi exit from Spain squad mean Arsenal withdrawals for March don reach double figures, after Piero Hincapie drop out of Ecuador squad earlier on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke – wey suffer worrying knee injury during Friday 1-1 draw with Uruguay – dey among eight England players wey leave camp on Saturday evening.

Eberechi Eze don already withdraw from Three Lions duty because of calf injury – fit keep am out for six weeks – while Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber no play for their countries either.

Martin Odegaard don dey miss Norway squad because of knee injury, but fit return soon after break, while Mikel Merino need several weeks to recover from foot operation.

Zubimendi – wey get six goals and three assists from 44 games for Arsenal debut season – dey now among doubts for next weekend FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton for St Mary’s.

How Arsenal fit replace Martin Zubimendi after knee injury?

As e dey usually happen with most Arsenal players wey withdraw – except Eze and maybe Madueke – Zubimendi fit still dey okay to face Southampton in six days.

However, Christian Norgaard ready to take the Spaniard place if e need, and former Brentford man fit don dey considered for starting role for cup anyhow.

Another option be say Arteta fit test Myles Lewis-Skelly for midfield, experiment wey him plan for FA Cup game against Wigan Athletic before Riccardo Calafiori pick small warm-up injury.