Eberechi Eze is pulling out of the England squad for the March internationals, with further assessments to come on his calf injury.
Mikel Arteta revealed on Sunday that Eberechi Eze is “out” of international duty with England over the March break, confirming reports in the media from earlier in the day.
Sami Mokbel had reported for the BBC that Newcastle United’s Harvey Barnes was set to be called up to replace Eze, who missed the League Cup final against Manchester City with a lower-leg injury.
Arteta explained that the club still need to do further assessments on the problem, but it is indeed an issue with the 27-year-old’s calf.
“We have to do another scan in six or seven days and wait and see the results,” Arteta confirmed. “It is a leg injury. His calf.”
The news is a blow, particularly given Eze himself had believed he would be fine after the Bayer Leverkusen victory.
Eze had scored in the 2-0 win, and he’d taken up a spot on the bench after his substitution, rather than going down the tunnel. Speaking to reporters after the match, he said: “Yeah, I’m alright, I’m alright. I’ll be okay.”
Unfortunately, it seems the problem is turning out to be more serious than Eze first thought. It’s already cost him the chance to feature for Arsenal in a cup final, and now the chance to go away with England over the break.
Gunners fans will be keeping their fingers crossed the injury issue has been resolved by the time club football returns on April 4th.